Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Regis University, a 148-year-old Jesuit institution in Denver, has emerged as a surprising reservoir of conservative influence that connects to key figures within President Donald Trump’s political sphere and the broader conservative movement.
The university, with an enrollment of approximately 2,700 students, has produced notable alumni currently in the political spotlight, including Erika Kirk, the new CEO of Turning Point USA, following her husband Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination, and Lindsey Halligan, who has been nominated by President Donald Trump for U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Both women are graduates of Regis University, with Kirk attending from fall 2007 to 2009 and Halligan graduating in 2011.
Regis University appears to have fostered a broader network of conservative power brokers who have played pivotal roles in American politics for decades.
Edwin Feulner stands out among the university’s influential alumni. He co-founded the Heritage Foundation in 1973 and served as its president for over three decades, transforming it from a small policy shop into a significant conservative think tank referred to by the New York Times as “the Parthenon of the conservative metropolis.”
Under Feulner’s leadership, the Heritage Foundation became a vital source of policy recommendations for Republican leaders from Ronald Reagan to President Donald Trump, who embraced numerous Heritage proposals during his first year in office.
The university’s influence stretches into state-level Republican leadership as well. Jane Norton, a Regis alumna, served as Colorado’s lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2007. She was notable for spearheading efforts to ban gay marriage in the state and later joined President Donald Trump’s administration in 2017 as the director of intergovernmental and external affairs for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Another significant figure is Jim Daly, who earned his MBA in international business from Regis University in 1997. Daly has led Focus on the Family, a prominent evangelical organization based in Colorado Springs, since 2005. Focus on the Family claims to reach over six million listeners each week through its radio programming, representing a substantial constituency within the conservative coalition that has supported President Donald Trump’s political initiatives.
Tim Neville, a hard-line conservative who graduated from Regis University, served in Colorado’s senate from 2011 to 2019. Known for his firm stances on social issues, education, and gun legislation, Neville consistently received perfect ratings from the American Conservative Union and Americans for Prosperity. His son, Patrick, has also been active in the Republican leadership within the Colorado House of Representatives.
Interestingly, Regis University has also cultivated leaders across the political spectrum, including Democrats. Stephen McNichols, a 1936 graduate, served as Colorado’s governor from 1957 to 1963, advocating for progressive initiatives such as better school funding and university faculty salary hikes.
Another noteworthy Democratic graduate is John Morse, who gained notoriety as the former president of the Colorado senate for his pivotal role in advancing gun control legislation after high-profile tragedies, namely the Aurora theater shooting and the Sandy Hook massacre. Morse’s advocacy ultimately led to his recall from office in 2013.
Yadira Caraveo, a 2003 Regis graduate, made history as Colorado’s first Latina U.S. congresswoman, representing the state’s 8th Congressional District as a Democrat.
Beyond politics, Regis University has produced individuals who have made their mark in various fields. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is among the notable alumni, although he famously dropped out after one year due to an incident involving marijuana.
In summary, Regis University’s unexpected prominence as a breeding ground for conservative leaders is evident. The institution’s influence continues to shape American politics through the achievements of its alumni, both in the conservative and progressive spheres.
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