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Governor Scott Walker, President
Jason Barbour, Director of Development
Christopher Byrnes, General Counsel
Andrew Coffin, Vice President
Patrick X. Coyle, Vice President
Jessica Jensen, Chief Operating Officer
Raj Kannappan, Vice President
Paul Matthews, Chief Financial Officer
Board of Directors
Governor Scott Walker, President
Ronald Pearson, Vice President
Kimberly Begg, Esq.
T. Kenneth Cribb, Jr., Esq., Treasurer
Wynton C. Hall
Nicole Hoplin, Secretary
Emily Jashinsky
Kate Obenshain Keeler
Peter Schweizer
Reagan Ranch
Board of Governors
Governor George Allen, Chairman
Edwin Meese, Co-Chairman
Robert F. Agostinelli
Candee Arndt
Dr. Suzanne Becker
George & Becky Norton Dunlop
Bruce & Kathi Eberle
Richard Gaby & Barbara Van Andel-Gaby
Robert Giuffra Jr.
Timothy S. Goeglein
Michael W. Grebe
Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold
Nicole & Eric Hoplin
Ann Knapheide
Mark Larson
Rebekah Mercer
Dennis & Nancy Moore
Doug & Pat Perry
Larry R. Polhill
Rear Admiral JJ Quinn
Ruppert & Cheryl Reinstadler
Richard & Jane Schwartz
Bernadette Casey Smith
Thomas F. & Joan D. Streiff
Tonette Walker
Jay Webber
Young America’s Foundation
April 2026
Knowles, Shapiro, and Johnson Draw Overflow Crowds as YAF Brings Top Voices to Campuses
Ben Shapiro addresses hundreds of students at the University of Pennsylvania through YAF’s Things That Matter Lecture Series.
Throughout April, Young America’s Foundation continued to bring the most effective conservative voices to campuses across the country, reaching thousands of students and fostering serious engagement on issues shaping the nation.
At Villanova University, The Daily Wire host Michael Knowles spoke to a standing-room-only audience. In his speech, titled “The Pope and the President Must Work Together,” Knowles examined the relationship between faith, government leadership, and Western civilization.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School hosted The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro to hundreds of attendees, with hundreds more turned away due to capacity limitations. Addressing questions of economics, culture, and purpose, Shapiro challenged students to think critically about the role of ideas in shaping society, stating, “Culture flows downhill from what people believe— and what people believe matters.”
Also in this issue...
YAF Brings Free Market Champions to Campuses Nationwide............................page 4
Equipping the Next Generation: Freedom at 250 Gains National Traction............page 5 Steele, Di Martino, and Freitas Headline 25th annual Rawhide Circle Retreat.........page 7
Young America’s Foundation’s Monthly Report is sent to the Foundation’s key supporters, board members, and friends. The report includes updates on our student programs, the Reagan Ranch and Reagan Boyhood Home, the National Journalism Center, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Free Enterprise, and other news relating to Young America’s Foundation.
Editor: Jessica Jensen, Chief Operating Officer
At Cornell University, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson addressed a capacity audience, speaking on the topics of leadership, Western values, and the need to defend free societies.
When asked why the West will prevail despite current divisions, Johnson noted, “I would much rather have a country and a society where people complain about polarization than a country where nobody is allowed to have different views…you’re lucky to be here. You really are.”
Additionally, the YAF chapter at Concordia University Wisconsin partnered with the university’s Faith and Economics Series to host Fox News Host Bret Baier, who outlined an optimistic outlook for America’s future.
The Daily Wire host Isabel Brown made her first-ever appearance on campus with YAF at Miami University (Ohio) before also speaking at Yale University later in the month. At both events, Brown challenged prevailing feminist narratives and discussed the cultural consequences of modern gender ideology, encouraging students to reconsider messages dominating popular culture.
After fielding a slew of leftist questions during the Miami University event, Brown commented on modern feminism, stating, “Modern feminism didn’t free women—it told women they needed to reject motherhood, marriage, and faith in order to be valuable.”
Through YAF’s Preserving American Liberty & Freedom Lecture Series, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Allen West spoke at Oklahoma State University, inspiring students with a message centered on
leadership, patriotism, and the enduring value of America’s founding principles.
Later in the month at the University of South Alabama, West stepped in to address students on immigration enforcement and the role of ICE after a scheduled ICE agent was forced to cancel due to security concerns. His participation ensured the program continued despite the last-minute challenge.
At The George Washington University, as part of YAF’s Freedom at 250 Debate Series, students hosted a debate between conservative strategist and CNN contributor Scott Jennings and Breaking Points cohost Ryan Grim.
YAF Director and podcast host Emily Jashinsky moderated the debate, which focused on the question, “Do All Immigrants Deserve U.S. Citizenship?” and was sponsored by the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.
Also in April, pro-life advocate Abby Johnson spoke at Saint Louis University; Jihad Watch Director Robert Spencer addressed students at the University of Alabama; and detransitioner Chloe Cole spoke with students at Penn State Harrisburg.
To watch highlights from these lectures, visit YouTube.com/YAFTV
The Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles addresses a capacity audience at Villanova University.
3) Lt. Col. Allen West brings a patriotic message to students at Oklahoma State University.
4) Fox News Host Bret Baier meets with YAF chapter members at Concordia University Wisconsin.
5) During his lecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Ben Shapiro encourages the audience to think critically to distinguish between “high-IQ conservatism” and “low-IQ grievance politics.”
6) Isabel Brown challenges leftist ideas about feminism while speaking at Yale University as part of YAF’s Freedom at 250 Lecture Series.
1) Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson headlines a YAF campus event at Cornell University.
2) YAF Director and podcast host Emily Jashinsky (middle) moderates a debate between Ryan Grim and Scott Jennings at The George Washington University.
