Truett McConnell University’s (TMU) chapter of Turning Point USA hosted a “Pick Up the Mic: Ask Me Anything” session with Riley Gaines, political activist and former collegiate swimmer. Students and professors alike kept a steady stream of questions coming, and the event boasted a crowd of over 150 from both campus and the Cleveland community.
This followed by just months the shooting death of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk during a speech in Utah.
Gaines addressed a number of topics and fostered conversations on politics, culture, and “living out your calling in a world that often shuns the light.” Students questioned Gaines on living out their faith in various settings, whether that is on the playing field, in the classroom, or as they go out into the world. Gaines encouraged students to hold fast to their convictions.
“When they want you to be silent, you must speak louder,” Gaines urged students.
“I love being here specifically at Truett because the values generally align. I would imagine there are things that student and I disagree on – cultural topics, political topics, social topics – but for the most part, knowing you’re around people with like-minded beliefs is certainly comforting,” Gaines said.
The chapter only launched last fall.
“It was definitely a lengthy process, between working everything out with Turning Point and the school, not to mention all the security and extra measures we had to take, but God’s hand was over the whole thing, and it was a fantastic event,” stated TMU TPUSA President Margaret Dowd.
Truett McConnell University is a private Christian liberal arts and sciences university located in Cleveland.