EU Class of ‘66 Denounce TPUSA Chapter Over Homecoming

Elmhurst University Class of ‘66 took a stand against Turning Point USA during the celebration of Saturday’s homecoming game, with about 25 members meeting with President Troy VanAken and Board of Trustees Chair Julius W. (Wes) Becton III in the Health Sciences Building conference room.

“We filled the room,” alumni Ruth Neihaus said.

The class presented a petition to VanAken shortly after the football game expressing their shock and disapproval of the club, which they argued conflicts with campus values. Trustee L. Bernard Jakes, Vice President for Student Affairs Keri Alioto, and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Lia Kampman were also in attendance.

“What’s Elmhurst College becoming?” Don Stahlurt, one of the organizers of the meeting, said to The Leader. “This isn’t the school we went to and graduated from, and this isn’t what we were taught. In fact, it’s totally contradictory to what we were taught.”

The 2025-26 Student Government Association (SGA) voted to approve the Turning Point USA chapter at EU last spring. The chapter is a part of a national nonprofit founded by late conservative activists Charlie Kirk and Bill Montgomery that promotes politics aligning with President Donald Trump’s MAGA movements among students. The chapter has faced significant backlash from students and alumni at EU.

The effort by ‘66 marks the first formal petition from alumni against the organization.

The petition, signed by over 25 members of the class of ‘66, does not call for the removal of the Turning Point on campus but instead denounces the chapter and the national organization, saying that “Turning Point represents a vision of society that narrows opportunities and protections for many Americans,” according to the petition reviewed by The Leader.

University leaders believe the alumni were asking administration to overturn SGA’s approval process, which would take away their right to govern.

“As an institution that values student leadership, we respect the integrity of students’ commitment to self-governance, and believe that students grow most effectively when they are empowered to lead,” said Desire Chen, the senior director of communications and external relations. “We believe that our welcoming, inclusive campus can also support freedom of expression and diversity of opinion, so long as we can also encourage honest and open communication, compassion, and mutual respect.”

Stahlurt said his group did not ask the university to overturn SGA’s approval process. Niehaus agreed that that was not what the meeting was about.

“I think that the student government has a right, and I think one of the purposes for college is for young people to learn differing opinions,” Niehaus said. “It paints us as a negative influence, and we don’t mean that. We’re just concerned senior citizens who don’t want the history to be forgotten.”

Stahlurt said he asked VanAken during the meeting to approve a new annual EU event that would highlight the university’s historic values and traditions in the wake of Turning Point’s presence on campus. While the alumni of ‘66 asked for a full-day event filled with lecturers and panel presentations, VanAken said setting aside an entire day would be difficult, according to Stahlurt.

Stahlurt said VanAken told the group he would reach back out about their request after considering possible options with Alioto.

“So were we happy? No, we want a full day,” Stahlurt said. “Were we unhappy? Well, no, because he didn’t say you can’t have that. He said, ‘Let’s talk about it, and figure out a way to do it.’”

During the meeting, the group presented a history of EU’s values, which was outlined by alumnus Dale A. Hempen, who could not attend the meeting. The presentation focused on EU’s affiliation with the United Church of Christ, former President H. Richard Niebuhr’s envisionment of Elmhurst as an “ever-widening circle,” and late history professor Rudolf G. Schade Jr., who assisted Jewish people’s relocation to the United States during World War II.

One alumni delivered a personal testimonial, detailing that her dad was an alum of EU and that she was upset about Turning Point’s presence on campus, according to Stahlurt.

Not all staff of EU approve of Turning Point either. Stahlurt said one of the members of the Board of Trustees in attendance expressed their dislike of the organization, saying that he would stay on top of Turning Point.

During The Leader’s 2026 Day with Troy interview, VanAken discussed the controversial approval of the chapter. He said some of his vice presidents said they wanted nothing to do with the group, while others weren’t as concerned. Some said that of all places, EU is the type of place where the chapter should exist, as long as they follow the policies, according to VanAken.

“Which is that you can’t, you know, make other people feel uncomfortable,” VanAken said in reference to university policies. “Now sometimes people can say, ‘Well, just the fact that you exist’ — well that’s not enough.”

VanAken met with Timothy Dudasik, the student founder of the chapter, to discuss the importance of being mindful of topics like immigration and sexual orientation after the chapter was approved last spring. Dudasik has since stepped down as president, leaving it currently without a leader, according to professor of music David DeVasto.

“I don’t know what will happen as that organization evolves here. So far, there’s not been anything,” VanAken said during the Day with Troy interview. “But at least that was my way to try to say, okay, you’re here, and I can accept that, but be compassionate. I hope that in a small way that will influence some things so that it won’t be as problematic as it could be.”

Stahlurt said he was surprised at the amount of participation he saw from his class, which graduated 60 years ago: “They went out of their way and came, where they could have just said, ‘Well I’m not really gonna. I’m not up for that.’”