This evening will mark the beginning of the Penn State College Republicans’ second annual string of events the organization has dubbed “Truth Week.”
The week-long initiative that aims to bring conservative values to campus, features four distinguished speakers from the conservative movement.
This year, the four speakers are economist Steven Moore, Professor Burt Folsom of Hillsdale College, former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain and political commentator Ann Coulter.
Jordan Harris, chairman of the Penn State College Republicans , said he is excited for the event this year and hopes it will work to engage the student body in conversations about political and social policy topics.
“The speakers are brought in to talk to students about things on which they are experts, and in the process, we hope to create conversations within the student body,” Harris said.
Moore , who is a member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board, will kick off the series at 8 p.m. Monday in 119 Osmond. Moore will be speaking to students about taxes associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare,” according to a release issued by the Penn State College Republicans.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday in 111 Wartik, Folsom will examine the industrial captains of the 19th century and the ways in which their contributions benefited the United States, according to the release.
Wednesday will feature Cain speaking as part of his “College Truth Tour.” The free event, which will include a live band, will take place at 6 p.m. in The State Theatre, according to the release.
The final lecture in the series, headed by political commentator Ann Coulter, will take place at 8 p.m. Thursday in 121 Sparks. Coulter will discuss her new book “Mugged” with the audience, according to the release.
Tickets for the event will be available to students and the public at the HUB-Robeson Center the day of the event.
The week will be capped off at 6 p.m. Friday on Old Main lawn, with “Rally for Victory.”
Molly Sheerer, secretary of the Penn State College Republicans, said she believes the week will be especially important this year because of the upcoming election, and it will encourage students to think about voting for the conservative perspective.
“We have a better…known lineup than we did last year,” Sheerer said. “Hopefully this will attract more people and help to spread the word about voting.”
Despite his liberal viewpoints, Taj Magruder, administrative vice president of the College Democrats, said he sees the week as a good opportunity to raise student and community interest in politics.
He said it is fair that everyone has an opportunity to speak their political views, and it’s good to have different sides so everyone can hear all the different positions.
But Magruder said he did not think the weeklong event would sway voter opinions, and the lectures will draw the crowds because of the popularity of the speakers.
“At this point, I think most people have already decided who they will be voting for in November,” Magruder said. “But nevertheless, they’ll be interesting events and good for people to see.”
Harris said his goals for truth week can be summed up simply.
“I sort of have a mantra,” Harris said. “As an organization, we do not seek to create controversy. We seek to create conversations.”
