Turn and discern: NGU’s own Turning Point USA chapter
Emma Ogren, Assistant Editor
Photo courtesy of Trinity Malone
Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is an organization created by Charlie Kirk in 2012. According to their website, the organization hopes to educate, train and organize students to promote principles such as free markets, limited government and fiscal responsibility.
According to FOX on Instagram, there are 900 chapters based on college campuses and 1,200 high school chapters. After Kirk’s assassination in Sept. 2025, over 30 thousand requests were made for new chapters across America.
In Oct. 2025, North Greenville University started their own chapter of TPUSA. They officially started holding bi-monthly meetings in Jan. 2026. They meet every second and fourth Thursday of the month in the Crain science auditorium.
The first event of the month is about building community within the chapter. This can look like a movie night or a debate to get people talking. The second event of the month is more educational and typically involves someone speaking to the chapter.
A big part of TPUSA is teaching students about conservatism.
“This is really important because we need people who want to know and understand what they’re standing for and what they believe in,” said President Katelynn Danielson. “That’s what will make our nation great.”
Zack Carter, associate professor of communication, serves as the adviser.
He said, “I’m watching them sharpen one another so that they can go out into the world and preach the good news of all creation.”
The good news that he is referring to, of course, is the gospel of Jesus Christ. TPUSA maintains that they stand on biblical principles and truth and follow the teachings and guidelines that Jesus laid out for His followers.
Both Danielson and Carter believe that this mission is more important than ever right now, with the current and ongoing polarization of our country.
Danielson believes, “if we can’t have civil debate, we can’t really have anything.”
This is why they often hold discussions, discourse and trials regarding where the United States stands politically. They then like to take a step back and see it through a biblical lens.
Because they look at politics biblically and not through the lens of a specific party, they make it clear that they do not promote specific candidates but conservative ideals and voting.
Danielson said, “Anything that’s talking about truth, goodness and beauty is going to help you flourish. I truly believe that’s what Turning Point stands for.”
Kirk founded TPUSA on the basis of conservatism and he did so to give college students a chance to promote conservative ideals. He would often table at colleges and allow for civil debate, like Danielson likes to include in NGU’s chapter.
She and Carter explained that Kirk was trying to give a voice to everyone on both sides and he hoped to do so in a civil manner.
“He was killed by a person who disagreed with him and did so, even though Charlie was trying to give him a voice to say something,” Danielson said.
Eventually, Danielson hopes to partner with larger universities, such as Clemson, to continue to get the message of TPUSA out to the masses. There are also more opportunities on larger campuses, and she explained that getting members of NGU’s chapter to their events can help members gain knowledge to therefore grow their own chapter.
As president of the chapter, Danielson also has unique opportunities to travel to places such as Washington D.C. and the South Carolina capitol building. She does so for partnering events and leadership training.
The NGU chapter is fully reliant on donations and fundraising. Their next fundraising event is a car wash held on April 19.
