Founders Gala
May 2, 2026
Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Larry Arnn earned his B.A. from Arkansas State University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Government from Claremont Graduate School. He previously directed research for Sir Martin Gilbert, Winston Churchill’s official biographer, and served as president of the Claremont Institute from 1985 to 2000. In 1996, he helped lead the California Civil Rights Initiative, ending racial preferences in state policies.
He serves on the boards of The Heritage Foundation, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, and the Claremont Institute, and has received numerous national honors, including the Bradley Prize (2015), the Edmund Burke Award (2022), the Heartland Liberty Prize (2024), and the Great American Award (2025).
Appointed by President Trump as chairman of the 1776 Commission in 2020, Dr. Arnn helped author its report on America’s founding principles. A professor of politics and history at Hillsdale College, he teaches on Aristotle, Churchill, totalitarianism, and the American Constitution. He has written three books and lives with his wife, Penelope; they have four children and two grandchildren.
Tickets and Sponsorship Packages
Early Bird Discounted Tickets: September 10 - October 10, 2025
Attire: Formal/Cocktail (black tie optional)
Guests must be 21 or over.
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Planting & Nurturing Package - $1,500
6 tickets plus 4 teacher-sponsored tickets, visual recognition
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Mind & Heart Package - $2,500
Full table (seats 10), visual and verbal recognition
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Grounded & Growing Package - $5,000
Full table (seats 10) with priority placement, VIP status, and visual and verbal recognition
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Rooted & Rising Package - $10,000
Title Sponsorship - 2 full tables (14 tickets plus priority seating with school leadership), 5-minute speech allowance, VIP status, and visual and verbal recognition
The Culinary Experience
Ashley and Levi met through food and have been cooking side-by-side ever since. With backgrounds spanning fine dining, pastry arts, and executive kitchen leadership, they share a love of handcrafted food, seasonal ingredients, and feeding others well. Whether in a professional kitchen or their own home, they approach every meal with collaboration, creativity, and care, each bringing their own strengths to the table while inspiring the other.
In addition to their professional careers, Ashley and Levi are passionate about giving back through food. They enjoy volunteering their time and talents throughout the Bloomington community—preparing meals for local organizations such as Community Kitchen, where they’ve supported weekend brunches and food security efforts with care and compassion. Their shared belief that food can bring comfort, dignity, and connection continues to shape how they show up—both in the kitchen and in their community.
Ashley Massie
Ashley Massie is a classically trained pastry chef with a career that spans high-end hotels, resort kitchens, and large-scale collegiate dining. She holds both an associate and bachelor's degree in Baking & Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University, graduating magna cum laude, and completed a Certificate in Hospitality and Pastry Arts from DCT Hospitality School in Switzerland. She later earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Hospitality.
Her early career took her to the East Coast, where she held pastry leadership roles at renowned properties including The Omni Homestead Resort in Virginia, The Taj Boston Hotel, and The Cliff House in Maine. Her exceptional dessert artistry led to national recognition, earning her a spot at the CaterSource Rapid Recipe Challenge in Las Vegas and taking home gold as Plated Dessert Champion at the 2017 DICED Culinary Competition.
Since 2015, Ashley has brought her talents to IU Dining & Hospitality. Starting as Pastry Chef de Cuisine and now serving as Associate Director, she oversees multi-unit food operations while championing creativity, staff development, and an elevated guest experience.
Levi Massie
Levi Massie is a versatile chef whose culinary path has taken him from AAA Four-Diamond resorts to leading celebrated restaurants in the heart of Indiana. Known for his deep understanding of flavor and his signature sauces, Levi’s approach balances technical execution with ingredient-forward simplicity.
He has served as Executive Chef at several Bloomington favorites where he led seasonal menu development, managed local sourcing, and created pairings for curated wine and cocktail menus. His work has been featured in publications such as Bloom Magazine and Farm Indiana, and he’s twice competed in the Bloomington Community Chef’s Challenge.
Earlier in his career, Levi honed his skills at top-tier establishments across the U.S., including McClintock’s (AAA 4 Diamond), Ojai Valley Inn & Spa (5 Diamond), and The Omni Homestead, where he was known for high-volume service, seafood butchery, and mentoring young cooks. His sauces, ranging from velvety reductions to bold pan finishes have become a signature element of his cooking and a favorite among peers and guests alike.
