Willie Robertson visits Grace College.

WINONA LAKE — Reality TV star of the A & E show Duck Dynasty and CEO of Duck Commander Willie Robertson visited Grace College today, Feb. 24.

Robertson began his visit by speaking to students at chapel during Career Week at Grace College, a week dedicated to equipping students with information and perspectives to guide the trajectory of their college education. He is slated to speak tonight on “faith, family and ducks” at an event open to the public at 7:30 p.m. at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

During chapel, Robertson emphasized the necessity of honesty and integrity for a successful career. He encouraged students to grow strong in their faith and know that having faith and being successful are not mutually exclusive qualities.

Robertson used his own life as an example of how no one really knows where their lives will end up. Robertson said he had never thought he would be on a reality tv show, in fact, he admitted he had never been into reality TV prior to being on the show.

The Robertson family is well known for their outspokenness about their Christian values and beliefs on their show Duck Dynasty. During an interview after Robertson spoke in chapel, Robertson gave insight into the family that the show portrays.

Living authentically is something that Robertson says he values highly. He explains the show truly is just the family doing life with a camera around. He maintains that while editing is involved to make a story from the family’s daily occurrences, the show truly is a genuine portrayal of their life.

“It’s real. We’re real people. We’re not actors.”

The Robertsons’ time being followed around by a film crew has recently ended as filming for the last season of the show has wrapped up. Robertson noted what he will miss the most about the show is constantly spending time with family. Though they all live close together, there was a unique closeness between the family members as they worked together to make the show.

Though he will miss the abundant amount of family time, Robertson is looking forward to not being in the spotlight as much in the future and just being seen as another person.

One thing that won’t change anytime soon is Robertson’s signature appearance. Currently, he is under contract that does not allow him to change his appearance.

During the election season, Robertson positioned himself as a supporter of the Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump. When asked whether he has continued to support Trump now that he has been in office, Robertson explained he was still a supporter.

“I think he’s done exactly what he said he was gonna do….He’s very business like, he wants to get stuff done.”

When asked whether he would think about making the transition from reality TV star to politician, similar to Trump, Robertson indicated he may have some interest in being active in the political realm.

Robertson noted his interest stemmed from wanting to see some policies change, predominantly those of adoption. He has concerns with adoption being such a costly and difficult process. Robertson and his wife hope to have a positive influence on the affordability of adoption. This is a personal issue for Robertson as he and his wife have adopted two children.

“We just want to connect kids with parents.”