In mid-October it was brought to our attention that Southern Adventist University was listed on the TPUSA website as a chapter. It’s on there in plain sight. We reported it on October 15 and contacted TPUSA to learn more abut it. We didn’t hear back from them.
According to the Southern Accent, TPUSA does list Southern Adventist University as having a chapter. This is in plain view on the TPUSA website. Indisputable.
That article and the revelation of SAU being listed on TPUSA’s website caused a stir in Collegedale. Dennis Negron stated that Southern is not ‘officially’ hosting a TPUSA chapter. So it is on there, but unofficial?
2025 TPUSA Chapter
According to Negron, an official request to start a TPUSA chapter from current students was made in Fall 2025 but was denied.
“The request to establish a chapter of TPUSA was received by the office of Student Life and Activities after the deadline for student organizations to apply, so there was never a vote ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ on it by the Student Development Committee…,” Negron stated.
So on a technicality, the Student Development Committee declined to vote on the request.
“However, had the deadline not been missed, the request would have been turned down for another reason—Southern does not admit chapters of political organizations, whether conservative, liberal or moderate.”
Negron says, had they voted, they would have denied the request for a TPUSA chapter because they are [too] political.
“Southern does not admit chapters of political organizations, whether conservative, liberal or moderate” — Dennis Negron
Nothing needs to be said here . .
Adventist Peace Fellowship is so far left they spin counter-clockwise. SAU has no problem with this group.
“However, had the deadline not been missed, the request [TPUSA] would have been turned down for another reason—Southern does not admit chapters of political organizations, whether conservative, liberal or moderate” — Dennis Negron
2022 TPUSA Chapter
In 2022, two students from SAU initiated a TPUSA chapter (Izabel Sigulinski and Noel Hendrickson). Hendrickson said they were inspired by Charlie Kirk’s commitment for open conversation. According to Sigulinski:
“We thought that starting a chapter would create a space for sharing ideas,” she stated.
“It never became an official chapter on campus,” Sigulinski stated. “There were students who wanted to join, but it fell through because of conflicting schedules.”
TPUSA Flyers on Southern Campus
Ten days ago, some students indicated that there were Charlie Kirk flyers on literature stands in various places on the campus.
The individual who reported them is a former editor of the Accent, and she recounts how she crumpled them up and disposed of them. They were—according to her—”deeply inappropriate.” Someone please tell me what is inappropriate about the above two flyers? The facility manager at Hulsey Hall (Darin Bissell) also said he would have removed them if he had found them. I wonder if these two individuals crumple up and dispose of LGBTQ+ and Gay Straight Alliance flyers when they find them on Southern Campus?
“Since the Hulsey Wellness Center is part of Southern Adventist University property, our policy is the same as the university’s regarding any political postings in campus buildings,” stated Bissell.
The Accent could not find a specific policy for political postings for campus buildings.
Other students said that Turning Point USA is in direct opposition to freedom of conscience and ‘separation of church and state.’ She admitted that she preferred learning and inclusion instead. Can someone explain how a organization that fosters open dialogue and the sharing of ideas represents ignorance and exclusion? Doesn’t quite make sense..
Other students expressed the belief that having a TPUSA chapter on campus could open discussions and promote free speech.
“I believe that it is healthy for students and staff to experience all sides of the political spectrum and form their own opinions, instead of an organization trying to swing you one way or another,” stated Davidson.
According to Accent, Brandon Ermshar, a senior cybersecurity major, expressed the importance of open political conversation.
“Regardless of where your politics lie, you should always be able to have a healthy discussion about politics,” he stated.
That’s the news update about the SAU / TPUSA story.
SAU is still listed on the TPUSA website (we checked this morning).
Students who value open conversation and the free sharing of ideas, could band together and start a club.
If you cannot start a chapter at your school, you can still start an Activism Hub in your city or county. These hubs are community-based charters for high school/college aged students who do not have the ability to start a traditional charter. Get in touch with your local field representative using this form.
Intercollegiate Adventist GSA Coalition (IAGC): Southern Adventist University has been part of this unofficial student-led network of Gay-Straight Alliances on Adventist college campuses.
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“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector” (Luke 18:11).