The McNeese chapter of Turning Point USA became officially recognized by the university Monday.  

Turning Point USA was founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered last month while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.  

According to the Turning Point USA website, the mission of the organization is “to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.” Now, a group of Cowboys and Cowgirls will attempt to carry out that mission on the McNeese campus.  

Junior theater major and acting president of the new chapter Ryan Bergeron said he was ecstatic to get the news that McNeese had made the Turning Point chapter official.  

“Our mission as McNeese’s Turning Point USA chapter is to encourage patriotism, free markets, limited government, and fiscal responsibility through nonpartisan debate, dialogue, and discussion,” Bergeron said. “We aim to create an environment where conservative thought can flourish, fostering diversity of thought essential for understanding various perspectives. We thank McNeese for welcoming us into its organizational community.”  

Kayden Dailey, a freshman electrical engineering major and acting vice president of the new chapter, said he is eager to get started.  

The club’s first goal is to recruit new members. Dailey said the organization plans to host a variety of events, ranging from tabling and guest speaker sessions to running voter registration drives on campus.  

“Our immediate goal on campus is to build the most organized, active, and powerful grassroots activist network this area has ever seen,” Dailey said. “We understand our mission could be a tough task and that some opposition could arise, but we are not afraid.”  

The chapter’s first tabling event will be Nov. 6, where the group hopes to recruit new members to its cause. There will be an election on Dec. 1 for the group to elect the chapter officers. All members are welcome to run for officer positions.

Official meetings for McNeese’s chapter of Turning Point USA are set for the first Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in Hardtner Hall.