Student Spotlight - Caroline Rushing

From a very young age, Caroline Rushing knew she was a conservative. When she was in elementary school, she learned about abortions and came to the conclusion that anyone who believed that abortion did not bring death to a child was not trustworthy. “I was very young when I became passionate about protecting the dignity and sanctity of all life, says Caroline.” My conservative beliefs were built upon the foundation of life and the more I learn about America and the World, the more I am convicted in my conservatism.”

Caroline was raised in Clifton, Virginia, and is a rising senior at the University of Virginia (UVa) in Charlottesville. Because of her early grasp on her conservative ideals, Caroline has been a conservative force to be reckoned with through her activism at UVa. At school, Caroline is active in the College Republicans and serves as president of UVa’s Network of enlightened Women chapter, a campus organization for conservative women. While participating in these groups, Caroline has hosted Senator Rick Santorum, Bay Buchanan, and Dr. Miriam Grossman.

Through these activities, Caroline was able to experience the aggressive behaviors of the Left when their ideological stronghold on campus is challenged.

“Rick Santorum’s speech on Islamo-Fascism was received with hostility as half the audience stood for the first five minutes of his speech with their backs turned.” Luckily, the other conservative lectures in which Caroline participated were much less hostile. “Bay Buchanan was well received… [and] Miriam Grossman had a great turn out,” recalls Caroline. “The student body seemed most influenced by her talk…My peers were shocked by her statistics, and how women and men really are wired differently. Hearing the truth that she spoke had a profound affect on the audience.” Caroline also handed out Luce’s “Sense and Sexuality” pamphlets with great success.

Caroline’s dedication to activism at UVa has given her some great insights into what it’s like being an outspoken conservative on a college campus. She encourages other students like her to not be afraid of peers and professors, and that being vocal is necessary to spreading conservative values. “By speaking up you can have an influence on your peers,” advises Caroline, “and you might be surprised at the respect you receive from professors.”

Caroline lives her life by the Bible verse 1 Timothy 4:12: “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example to other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.” She recalls this verse when she feels her age and position in life are not enough to have any influence. “I think to this verse and realize that I might be young, but I can make a difference through the example I set and by staying true to the things I believe.”

Caroline’s courage to stand up for conservatism at UVa has certainly made a difference, and we are proud to have her as a Luce summer intern.

“Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example to other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12