Turning Point USA Chapter at TCU Aims to Revive Christian Values

The president of Turning Point USA at Texas Christian University shared his goal of reintroducing Christian values to campus during a conversation with Fox News Digital.

Annie Seller, who became president last year, noted that the chapter has been active for about seven years. As a senior pursuing a BS in Mathematics and a BFA in dance, she feels a strong drive to advocate for her beliefs at TCU.

“Christian values aren’t always represented strongly here,” she remarked. “Turning Point USA, which promotes conservative values, helps many people connect with the truth and ultimately find faith in Jesus.”

Recent claims have arisen about TCU moving away from its Christian roots, especially after halting campus baptisms. Bo French, a TCU alumnus and Tarrant County GOP leader, commented on the situation.

He explained that a student ministry planned to conduct baptisms in an inflatable pool, but officials labeled the idea too risky due to safety concerns.

However, TCU pushed back against these allegations, citing health and safety protocols. The university stated they encourage partnerships with nearby churches to facilitate baptisms in safe environments.

Support for the organization has surged following the tragic assassination of TPUSA co-founder Charlie Kirk at a Utah event on September 10. After his memorial service on September 13, TPUSA reported over 120,000 inquiries from those interested in launching new chapters across campuses.

Seller described a recent surge in interest, noting, “In just the past few weeks, we’ve seen hundreds of new members join our chapter, which is amazing.” She observed that tables promoting TPUSA on campus have become more lively, with many students engaging and asking questions, sometimes stirring up strong reactions.

Last month, Seller organized an event featuring activist Chloe Cole to discuss her experiences. Unfortunately, logistical issues led to a venue change, as the university couldn’t accommodate the expected turnout. Cole has publicly expressed concerns about perceived anti-Christian discrimination in higher education, criticizing the challenges faced by faith-based organizations when planning events.

In response, TCU rejected allegations of anti-Christian bias. A spokesperson assured Fox News Digital that faith-based organizations face no undue hurdles in hosting campus events and pointed out that Kirk’s memorial was held at the university.

“On October 7, we struggled to find a suitable venue for events meant for over 1,000 attendees,” the spokesperson explained. Various options were explored to meet event requests.

Seller acknowledged the obstacles faith-based groups face, yet remains hopeful about collaborating with the university moving forward. The TCU-TPUSA chapter’s next event features Texas gubernatorial candidate Pete Chambers and actress Lee Allen Baker from “Will & Grace.”

“Last week, TCU approved our event without hesitation, which is encouraging,” Seller commented. “We’re looking forward to having more of these opportunities.” She added that if the university’s policies support smoother processes, it will open up more possibilities for events on campus.

Furthermore, TCU representatives emphasized the importance of faith-related activities on campus, stating, “Church and faith events are vital to our student experience. Numerous Christian organizations operate here, providing worship services, Bible studies, and more through collaboration with student groups.” They encouraged those outside these organizations to follow established guidelines when inviting speakers for faith events.