Students Found Turning Point USA Chapter at EU

Tim Dudasik, president of EU’s chapter of Turning Point USA, walks in front of Niebuhr Hall on Oct. 18. Dudasik is a senior at EU.

Timothy Dudasik first learned about Charlie Kirk’s assassination last month when he witnessed it on X (formerly Twitter).

“When I first found out he was shot I felt just in pure shock,” said Dudasik. “Rumors were going around that it was a chest wound, but then, on Twitter, I saw the full video. It was beyond graphic to see something so real, like that, especially because he was someone who’s important to me.”

Hours after news broke of Kirk’s passing, Dudasik reached out to Windy City Turning Point USA (TPUSA) to inquire about starting a chapter at Elmhurst University.

“If people aren’t debating, you don’t know what the other person’s thinking, and that’s when violence arises,” said Dudasik. “So that’s why [this chapter] was really important to me. We don’t really have political clubs here at school, so as soon as he was assassinated, I reached out to Turning Point that same day.”

Dudasik was one of thousands reaching out to TPUSA to start a chapter. Two weeks after Kirk’s assassination, TPUSA reported over 121,000 requests from college and high school students nationwide to start a chapter or get involved with an existing chapter.

So far, the unofficial TPUSA chapter at Elmhurst University has 47 members and has begun hosting meetings virtually.

Thomas Salek, an associate professor of communications at EU, noted that moments of national tragedy often shape how people respond and organize politically.

“When it comes to tragedies, rhetoric plays an important function in understanding the past, trying to come to terms with what happened, but it also sets the stage for the future,” Salek said. “Words can solve problems, stop wars, and even create new countries. But on the flip side, rhetoric can fuel divisions and create environments of hate.”

Dudasik, who is now chapter president, was joined in reaching out to TPUSA by Dennis Nilson and Emma Jahaske, who are now vice president and secretary respectively of Elmhurst’s chapter.

The chapter is still waiting for approval from the Student Government Association before they can become officially associated with the university. Dudasik explained that one of the last things they have left to do is find a professor willing to be an advisor.

The chapter will not be budgeted by the school, nor will it draw funds from COOP funding, according to Dudasik. TPUSA, which is a nonprofit and receives generous funding each year, helps support chapters across the nation itself.

Dudasik said he was aware of the backlash the chapter would likely face at Elmhurst, a small liberal arts school.

“I didn’t hesitate starting the chapter because of the potential backlash,” said Dudasik. “What scared me was him getting shot. Violence is a solution people use to silence people.”

Dudasik emphasized that he does not want to increase tensions on campus.

“The big thing I told everyone [in the chapter] is I don’t care if we’re disrespected,” said Dudasik. “I don’t care if they’re belligerent to us — we’re respectful. Respect is a huge thing, because as soon as you start talking down to people, your opinion means completely nothing to me.”

Salek shared how political disagreement doesn’t have to lead to division on campuses like Elmhurst.

“Polarization is only destructive if we make it,” said Salek. “The best way to fight polarization is to be a good person: Be empathetic, listen, and understand that it’s okay to disagree.”

Last month, the Student Government Association reported at the Board of Trustees meeting that political polarization is a concern among Elmhurst students.

Sophomore Robert Edinger said he is unsure if he would attend any chapter events and expressed concern that an organization like TPUSA may increase division among students.

“I don’t think I would attend any events because I disagree with the founder’s values,” said Edinger. “I have seen a lot of clips on YouTube designed as ‘gotcha’ moments to target liberals. It can be very distractful and not helpful. I am in favor of political groups on campus. I’m in favor of free speech. I am a little nervous when it comes to TPUSA because of the founder’s values.”

Salek sees debate as essential to democracy, but stresses that it matters how it’s approached.

“The key to democratic discussion isn’t about winning an argument — it’s about asking, ‘How can we build a better future together?’” said Salek. “Debate and discussion are essential to democracy. Once we stop talking to each other, we veer further away from democratic ideals.”

Critics of TPUSA worry about its Professor Watchlist, the mission of which is “to expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom,” something Dudasik said the EU chapter will participate in under specific circumstances.

“Active threats is the thing we’re looking for — people who are making active threats and promoting death,” said Dudasik. “If someone says, ‘I didn’t really like him,’ that’s fine. ‘I didn’t really like him; he deserved to die.’ That’s a bigger issue for us.”

Reporting such a comment would go through the EU TPUSA chapter advisor and to the Charlie Kirk Data Foundation.

Salek explained that while there are cases of professors at other universities who have been targeted by people who would rather berate without engaging in the substance of what professors research, accountability is still important.

“Everybody should be held accountable for what they have to say. I would never say anything in public that I didn’t firmly believe and stand by,” said Salek. “When it comes to a watchlist, just like anything, it’s just a different version of Rate My Professor, which is everywhere. So at the end of the day, as long as people aren’t using these types of tools to create further conflict, division, violence, you know, they can do what they want.”

Junior Cezara Feiurdean acknowledged Kirk’s assassination as a tragedy that left behind a mourning family. She is also well aware of hurtful statements that Kirk had made throughout his career, as well as his opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“I strongly believe that TPUSA will only hurt the community that Elmhurst University has cultivated,” Feiurdean said in a written statement. “The reputation of TPUSA’s cofounder carries bigotry and hatred in a time where our university has to protect students from ICE.”

Dudasik emphasized that events hosted by the chapter — which would include Charlie Kirk’s debate style and possible guest speakers — would not be recorded as “gotcha” moments, but to promote understanding.

“A big event we’re going to have is our ‘Debate Us’ and speakers,” said Dudasik. “Debating us is going to be [the chapter] sitting out on the mall. To me, that’s a time for people to have educated debates. I’d like to see where other sides are coming from. I don’t like to assume what you’re thinking. I fully expect to get a lot of backlash during those, but I think it creates a very healthy standard of how I think politics should be gone about.”

Dudasik said the events will not be recorded or publicized and will remain campus-based. He wants to host these types of events throughout the year.

“I’m not doing this as an act to avenge Charlie Kirk’s death,” said Dudasik. “I’m doing this to prevent more incidents like Charlie Kirk’s death. I want people to truly just be comfortable in beliefs. If you disagree with me and my beliefs, then I want you to be comfortable and proud of your own course.”