Some student organizations become known for their presence over the years. Others become known for their quick growth. However, it’s hard to imagine one more remarkable than the Conservative Coalition – a campus organization that has grown exponentially in the past five years. The result is that the club has become ETSU’s largest campus activist organization today, according to the coalition’s chairman.
Founded in 2015 by Brandon Johnson, the Conservative Coalition joined the ETSU College Republicans, the NRA, Turning Point USA and Young Americans for Freedom into one unifying conservative voice on campus. As for the rate of expansion, the coalition has grown dramatically the past year and a half.
“We’ve grown 254% since the fall of 2018, increasing sharply from 65 members to 230,” according to chairman Nathaniel Boccarossa, a senior studying finance.
Last semester, under the leadership of former chairman Holdon Guy, the coalition brought in an impressive list of speakers: State Senator Rusty Crowe, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, U.S. Congressmen Tim Burchett and Phil Roe. The Conservative Coalition also brought activist Hayden Williams, who was assaulted while promoting conservative values at Berkeley, prompting the president to issue an executive order protecting free speech on college campuses.
“The speakers we hosted last semester energized the conservative students at ETSU,” Guy said. “I anticipate coalition members will contribute significant efforts in 2020 to help elect candidates that will defend the constitutional rights that make our republic so resilient.”
The coalition also held an event titled NRA University, which consisted of an hour-long session where members learned about 2nd Amendment rights and signed up with the NRA. Organized by the club’s vice chairman Matt Ryan, this became the first successful event in the fall of 2019, leading to a substantial increase in meeting attendance.
According to Boccarossa, the coalition can “anticipate an even bigger increase in 2020, which means more speakers and events.”
Members of the Conservative Coalition experienced a standing-room-only event last month with Dr. Manny Sethi, a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
Dick Heller, from the most groundbreaking case on gun rights (D.C. v Heller), is speaking at an event the coalition is co-hosting with the Pre-Law Society tonight, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Millennium Center, room 215.
In addition to Boccarossa, the coalition’s success should also be credited to the efforts of its other board members: Vice Chairman Matt Ryan, Second Vice Chairman Mark Lenoir, Executive Director Sam Groomes, Treasurer Rachel Harrington, Secretary Glorianna De Repentigny, Parliamentarian Tiffany Cook and Sergeant at Arms Nathaniel Vernon. The support from the leadership has undoubtedly played no small part in leading to the coalition’s unique accomplishments.
From all apparent metrics, the coalition is holding to its purpose.
“The East Tennessee State University Conservative Coalition exists to grow and promote the conservative movement both on and off campus,” its mission statement reads. “It is dedicated to developing strong leaders and growing political understanding among its members in service to the United States of America.”
The Conservative Coalition’s growth reflects the fact that conservative values are alive and well in America, in East Tennessee and at ETSU. Perhaps more importantly, however, it shows us that students aren’t afraid to stand behind what they believe. In the years to come, it will be fascinating to see how the coalition continues to grow and how it impacts the community.
Anyone passionate about this mission and who would like to know more about the coalition, can view its Facebook page or contact Nathaniel Boccarossa at boccarossa@etsu.edu.
