University where Charlie Kirk was shot confronts unwanted infamy

OREM, Utah, Sep 19 – For two decades, Utah Valley University (UVU) built a reputation as a safe and steadily growing institution, transitioning from a modest community college into Utah’s largest public university. Known for its peaceful campus and strong ties to the Wasatch Mountain region, UVU often prided itself on being one of the safest schools in the nation.

That image was shattered in an instant on Sept. 10, when right-wing activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking before a large outdoor crowd at the school’s amphitheater. The event, intended to be another spirited exchange of ideas, instead turned into a tragedy that placed UVU in the national spotlight.

As students and faculty returned to campus this week, many are still reeling from grief, fear, and uncertainty. Alongside mourning Kirk’s death, the university community faces an uneasy question: how do they rebuild their identity after being tied to such a shocking act of violence?

A Campus in Mourning

University leaders admit the aftermath has been unlike anything UVU has faced. The sprawling institution, with close to 50,000 students, had rarely experienced serious violent incidents. According to campus safety data, between 2021 and 2023, the university logged only a handful of aggravated assaults, several reported sexual assaults, one arson case, and no murders. Kirk’s assassination marked the first known homicide on school grounds.

Ellen Treanor, a university spokeswoman, emphasized that the tragedy should not erase UVU’s longstanding record of safety. Administrators remain committed to highlighting the school’s broader values, including resilience, academic strength, and strong community ties.

Kyle Reyes, one of UVU’s vice presidents, said the university will not shy away from the difficult dialogue this moment demands. “We know that the eyes are on us and we’re not going to shy away from demonstrating our resilience collectively,” Reyes explained. Leaders believe the university can model healing and respectful engagement, even amid political and cultural divisions that have intensified in the wake of Kirk’s death.

Beyond institutional messaging, the human cost weighs heavily. Many students who witnessed the shooting, or who were nearby, are struggling to cope with trauma. Marjorie Holt, an 18-year-old education major, recalled arriving just minutes before the fatal gunshot. She sought shelter with others in a nearby building. In the days that followed, Holt went home to Salt Lake City for comfort with her family, admitting she feels the university could have done more to protect Kirk and the crowd. Yet, she also noticed that the tragedy, though politically charged, has drawn the student body closer. “We’re all still coming together no matter how we believed,” Holt said.

Back to Class, but Changed Forever

As classes resumed, the atmosphere on campus was subdued. Professors adjusted their tone, with some deliberately emphasizing compassion, inclusivity, and understanding in their lectures. Students reported that even heated topics were handled with more care than usual, as the shared trauma created a sense of unity.

Student body president Kyle Cullimore used a vigil gathering to call for empathy across ideological divides. He urged classmates to stop labeling one another and instead focus on recognizing each other’s humanity, reinforcing his vision of UVU as a place “where disagreement doesn’t erase our dignity.”

The university’s journey forward is not without precedent. Other schools have grappled with the painful legacy of shootings. Columbine High School in Colorado became a national symbol of school violence in 1999, prompting sweeping changes in security protocols nationwide. Virginia Tech University, Sandy Hook Elementary, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and Uvalde’s Robb Elementary each became rallying points for activism and debate on gun policy. Some institutions, like Uvalde, even chose to demolish buildings forever marked by tragedy.

In UVU’s case, administrators seem determined to lean into resilience rather than erasure. For now, students are back in classrooms, but few expect a return to normal anytime soon. The amphitheater where Kirk was killed remains a stark reminder of how quickly peace can fracture.

Defining the Next Chapter

History shows that institutions linked to violence eventually decide whether to minimize or embrace their difficult past. At Kent State University, for instance, the 1970 shootings during a Vietnam War protest left an indelible mark. After decades of grappling with the event, the school leaned into its identity as a place for open dialogue and peace studies rather than distancing itself from the tragedy.

Experts suggest UVU faces a similar fork in the road. Branding specialists argue that while the national spotlight is unwelcome, the school may eventually reframe its narrative by demonstrating resilience, fostering dialogue, and showing leadership in healing.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who met with students on campus in the aftermath, acknowledged the pain but encouraged the community to focus on what makes UVU unique. “The world only knows one thing about UVU now,” he said, “but they deserve to know the rest of the story. This place is incredible because of its students and faculty. Real change won’t come from politicians. It has to come from you.”