'This Is Our Movement' | An Early Look Into PCLC III
By: Alexander Kreitz
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference will return to Penn State this weekend, Jan. 16-17, with the theme of “This Is Our Movement.”
PCLC, as is commonly abbreviated, is an annual event hosted at Pennsylvania State University’s Main Campus. PCLC’s mission is to unite, celebrate and strategize the future of the youth conservative movement within the United States. First held in 2024, the conference has become a hallmark for the College Republicans of Pennsylvania, as well as several prominent conservative political figures.
The conference will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Lion’s Lair and continue at 10 a.m. Saturday in Alumni Hall.
President of the Penn State College Republicans Tristin Kilgore expressed his excitement for this year’s conference.
“We have people coming from New York, we have people coming from New Jersey, from D.C., flying in from California,” said Kilgore.
The theme of this year’s conference is “This Is Our Movement,” a slogan meant to instill resolve and excitement for the future of the conservative and MAGA movements. Many popular figures will be in attendance, such as Congressman Glenn Thompson, PA State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Activist Cliff Maloney, State Senator Chris Dush, and others.
“The turnout’s looking better than ever, it’s really exciting,” Vice President of Penn State College Republicans, Hunter Steach, said. “This is going to be the first year that we have people coming from outside Pennsylvania to attend the conference… We’re looking upwards of 100 people between the two days. It’s going to be a good time.”
With such attendance, challenges have risen for the hosting Penn State College Republicans. Kilgore stressed the importance of scheduling and management of guests, and even the finer details such as food, refreshments and picking out tablecloths.
Many college students will be delivering speeches during the event, sharing the stage with major figures and activists. Kilgore shared insight into his premier speech during the interview.
“My speech is going to focus on how young people have made a difference in the past,” Kilgore said. “But now is the time for Gen Z - for young people - to define the future. It’s really going to be up to our generation to be the ones who are deciding the big issues, who are defining what it means to be a Republican, what it means to be a conservative.”
With excitement brewing among students and figures alike, plans for the future of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conferences have already been discussed. Due to the location of Penn State University, Happy Valley will continue to be the meeting house for Pennsylvania’s conservative youth.
“We’re planning to keep it here at Penn State and host it every spring,” Kilgore said. “PCLC: this Friday and Saturday. Can’t wait to see you there!”