The Young Americans for Freedom Board of Governors has named University of Dallas YAF as the 2024/25 Chapter of the Year and Davidson University YAF as the 2024/25 Rookie of the Year.
To recognize these chapters’ bold actions to promote conservatism on campus, YAF has award UD YAF a $10,000 grant, and Davidson YAF a $5,000 grant to bring conservative speakers to their campus this upcoming school year. The announcement was held at the 47th annual National Conservative Student Conference, in Washington, D.C.
Dallas YAF
In their first full year on campus, UD YAF welcomed seven speakers to campus. These speakers included detransitioner Chloe Cole, North Korean refugee Yeonmi Park, and YAF President Governor Scott Walker. The chapter’s event with Dr. Abby Johnson was the largest campus event about public policy in the school’s history. Their events also covered topics such as the threat to free and fair elections by illegal immigration and how socialism is destroying the West.
In addition to their lectures, UD YAF also organized an early-access screening of Matt Walsh’s Am I Racist? UD YAF also participated in YAF’s national activism projects, including the 9/11: Never Forget Project and Freedom Week, as well as other original activism projects throughout the entire year such as a range day event with Lt. Col. Allen West to educate their peers on the importance of the second amendment.
Despite attending a Catholic school, the chapter still faced roadblocks to their events. For one lecture, the administration incorrectly claimed that a signature on a contract was falsified. For another event, UD YAF was required to provide proof of funding for one of their events or the school would cancel the event with just a couple days’ notice.
After the announcement, UD YAF chairman Liam Ritter said that “I couldn’t be more proud of the work my chapter did over the past year. Despite multiple setbacks and battles with administrative bureaucrats, we persevered. UD YAF is deeply committed to advancing the Conservative Movement and elevating conservative voices, and we cannot wait to continue our mission this coming year.”
Davidson YAF
During their first year on campus, Davidson College YAF had an immediate impact on their campus. Rather than shying away from attention on campus, Davidson YAF hosted multiple speakers, including Dr. Art Laffer and Dr. Abby Johnson. Davidson YAF also organized the 9/11: Never Forget Project and the Pro-Life Timeline activism projects.
Davidson YAF also faced pushback from their school. When the chapter set up a memorial display of Israeli flags on their campus for each hostage taken by Hamas in the October 7th attacks, the school claimed one of the pamphlets they were handing out, entitled “The Five Myths About Israel Perpetrated by the Pro-Hamas Left,” was Islamophobic. Instead of acquiescing to the school’s demands, the chapter stood strong in their beliefs and in their right to free speech.
Incoming chapter chair Caroline Wilutis stated that “Davidson YAF is truly honored to be recognized by YAF as the rookie chapter of the year, and couldn’t have done it without YAF’s support. We look forward to getting back on campus and picking up where we left off!”
YAF congratulates UD YAF and Davidson YAF for their success in advancing Conservative ideas on their campus, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for them this upcoming school year!
More information on starting or joining a YAF chapter at your college or high school can be found here.
