North Pima News

Ann Atkinson, the former director of the Lewis Center at Arizona State University Barrett Honors College, shared on the X platform the news of an upcoming event featuring Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, and Dennis Prager, a Radio Talk Show Host, at Arizona State University. This event comes on the heels of previous controversies related to the university's actions, including the termination of employees, including Atkinson, allegedly due to their involvement in what the university deemed a "conservative" event held in February.

"ASU students invited Charlie Kirk and Dennis Prager back to campus!" Atkinson said. "Health, Wealth, Happiness 2.0  THE STUDENTS ARE FIGHTING BACK! Sponsored by a student organization, not ASU administrators or faculty."

Kirk and Prager are set to make a return to the university for this event, following an inquiry into the terminations of Lin Blake and Atkinson earlier this year. These terminations stemmed from the "Health, Wealth, and Happiness" event held in February at the T. W. Lewis Center, which faced protests from 39 out of 47 professors within ASU's honors college, Barrett, where the center is located. The upcoming event, titled "Health, Wealth, and Happiness 2.0," is scheduled for September 2 and is sponsored by Turning Point USA, according to the State Press.

Blake stated that she adhered to standard procedures when booking events at ASU Gamma and had consistently received commendations for her job performance. However, in the weeks preceding her termination, she experienced discrimination and harassment. The controversy arose among Blake and her colleagues due to events organized by her client, Ann Atkinson, which were allegedly subjected to religious discrimination and involved claims of featuring "white supremacist" speakers, according to Blake's letter.

The first "Health, Wealth, and Happiness" event was organized by Atkinson and the Lewis Center and took place at the Barrett Honors College. Following the event, a letter was sent by dozens of Barrett faculty members to the dean of the honors college expressing their disapproval. The event featured Kirk and Prager as speakers, known for their conservative viewpoints. Subsequently, Atkinson also faced termination from her job. However, the university claims that her termination was unrelated to freedom of speech or the event, but rather a consequence of the Lewis Center's cancellation of funds, 12 News reports.

Kirk serves as the President and Founder of Turning Point USA, a prominent nationwide organization dedicated to conservative youth activism with a presence in over 2,000 schools. On the other hand, Prager is a distinguished radio talk show host and co-founder of PragerU, a platform focused on conservative perspectives and covering a wide array of topics. 

"Excited to be back at ASU with Dennis Prager next month!," said Kirk in a post on the X platform. "I'm sure the 39 "honors college" professors who demanded that we wouldn't be allowed on campus in February will be delighted we are coming back!"