Past Speakers

Abby Johnson is a former Planned Parenthood clinic director turned Pro-Life activist. Her experiences are documented in her book Unplanned, as well as in the movie by the same name. She has founded multiple non-profits, including And Then There Were None and Pro-Love Ministries, which help abortion clinic workers leave the abortion industry and support the pro-life movement as a whole. Mrs. Johnson gave an incredibly moving talk about her story and her faith.

Rick Perry was the longest-serving governor of the great state of Texas and served as the Secretary of Energy in the Trump Administration. Perhaps more importantly, he is a proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie class of 1972. During his time in Aggieland, he was a junior and senior Yell Leader, Bonfire Redpot, and a member of Squadron 6. Governor Perry spoke to us about "The Future of America's Energy Sector and Texas A&M's Place and Potential in the Arena."

Ben Shapiro is the co-founder and Editor Emeritus of The Daily Wire and host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” the largest and fastest-growing conservative podcast and radio show in the nation. More than 2000 students attended this event to fill Rudder Auditorium for Ben's speech, “Fighting the Transgressives,” making it the largest event in TAMU YAF history. Watch the speech and see Mr. Shapiro say "howdy!" here:  https://youtu.be/uOHkNUhfufo

Kellyanne Conway is the Former Assistant and Senior Counselor to the President at the White House under the Trump Administration, where she worked on a range of issues affecting domestic and global policy. She was also the first woman to lead a successful presidential campaign. Here in Aggieland, Ms. Conway gave a fantastic speech about the state of politics and what we should expect in the 2024 election and beyond.

Zuby is a musician, author, podcaster, public speaker, fitness expert, and life coach. He was born in England and raised in Saudi Arabia, where he attended an international school. He then went to Oxford University to study Computer Science. additionally, he broke the British women's deadlift record. If you want to hear it again, you can watch his lecture here: https://youtu.be/V5DB61zOhU0 

Matt Walsh is a writer, speaker, blogger, and bestselling LGBT children's author of the book "Johnny the Walrus".  He is well-known for his hilarious insights into culture, policy, and religion as the host of The Matt Walsh Show on the Daily Wire. In case you missed it, you can watch his lecture here: https://youtu.be/ns779zyruZ4

Vice President Mike Pence came to Rudder Auditorium to give a lecture to Texas A&M's students, faculty, and staff. While here, he did a live recording of his podcast American Freedom with Mike Pence where he interviewed Rep. Dan Crenshaw and two of our very own cadets. Check out his podcast episode "Honoring America's Veterans" anywhere you listen and watch his lecture here: https://youtu.be/7P9sHJtd2BI

Ted Cruz and Michael Knowles came to Rudder Theater to host their #1 hit podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz. With their trusty cactus, Senator Cruz and Michael Knowles talk about how we BTHO of Alabama, mask mandates, and other hot-button political issues with special guest Liz Wheeler. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK0ZXLwzY7g

James Olson is a professor of the practice at the Bush School, where he teaches courses on intelligence and counterintelligence. He and his wife served for over thirty years working undercover in the Directorate of Operations of the CIA.  Professor Olson is the author of Fair Play: The Moral Dilemmas of Spying and To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence. Prior to his career in the CIA, he served in the US Navy, where he attained the rank of lieutenant commander.

In 1985, after being asked to fill in for a season by head football coach Jackie Sherrill, Dave South became the "Voice of the Aggies". As the voice of Texas A&M athletics, South called some of the most memorable moments in Aggie sports history, including Sirr Parker's game-winning touchdown in the 1998 Big XII championship, and Johnny Manzel's "Heisman moment" in 2012 against Alabama. South's last football season was in 2017, and he decided to hang up the headset for good after his last baseball season in 2020.

Brett P. Giroir is an American pediatrician and a former four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. He served as the 16th assistant secretary for health during the Trump administration and was the US Representative to the Executive Board of the World Health Organization within the Department of State. Dr. Giroir was on the front lines of the COVID-19 response as a White House Coronavirus Task Force member and was the national lead for testing and diagnostics.

Steven Crowder has created a career often designated for people twice his age. Before being brought in as one of FoxNews’ youngest contributors ever, Steven began his career in entertainment with acting and stand-up comedy.

Steven is most widely known for the "change my mind" segment on his show Louder with Crowder.

Michael Knowles and Andrew Klavan are the celebrated hosts of “The Michael Knowles Show” and "The Andrew Klavan Show" at the Daily Wire. 

Dinesh D'Souza has had a 25-year career as a writer, scholar, and public intellectual and served as a policy analyst in the Reagan White House.

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Called one of the “top young public-policy makers in the country” by Investor’s Business Daily, D’Souza quickly became known as a major influencer on public policy through his writings.