At Utah Valley University, the spot where Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot on stage during a campus event, still feels like a crime scene. The fountain beside it has been shut down, and American flags nearby hang low above the spot where he fell. It's a reminder that, two months ago, UVU was thrust into the national spotlight, with the entire country talking about the incident.
Students who lived through the chaos are trying to make sense of what happened and what it means for their school's identity. For Gage Howe, 19, a first-year music student, UVU had always felt like a good place for him. "It looked like a happy place, everyone got along," he said. But now, students feel divided, with some wanting the university to be remembered for something other than the killing.
José, 19, a sociology major who asked that his last name not be used because of his family's immigration status, sat closer to the scene during the event. "It feels like a fever dream," he said. The national debate over Kirk's legacy has also entered UVU's classrooms, with some students questioning whether he represents the spirit of the university.
The controversy surrounding Kirk's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While some have praised his influence, others have criticized him for his divisive rhetoric and comments towards minorities, LGBTQ+ students, and immigrants. The debate has sparked a national conversation about what it means to be an inclusive university.
For many students at UVU, the aftermath of the incident hasn't been abstract - they've lived inside it. "It's divided us a little more," said Howe. Some want the university to focus on unity and collaboration rather than politics. José, 19, hopes that people won't judge UVU based on one event, but rather remember its true values.
The university has taken steps to address the controversy, including forming a memorial committee to discuss plans for a Kirk memorial. But some students are pushing back against these efforts, arguing that they don't represent the spirit of the university. Zoey Davidson, 21, believes that UVU's legacy should be remembered for its response to the tragedy, rather than the event itself.
As UVU tries to move forward, it's clear that the incident has had a lasting impact on the campus and its students. While some want to forget the past, others hope to use it as an opportunity to grow and learn. The university's true identity is still being written - but for many students, that's what matters most.
Students who lived through the chaos are trying to make sense of what happened and what it means for their school's identity. For Gage Howe, 19, a first-year music student, UVU had always felt like a good place for him. "It looked like a happy place, everyone got along," he said. But now, students feel divided, with some wanting the university to be remembered for something other than the killing.
José, 19, a sociology major who asked that his last name not be used because of his family's immigration status, sat closer to the scene during the event. "It feels like a fever dream," he said. The national debate over Kirk's legacy has also entered UVU's classrooms, with some students questioning whether he represents the spirit of the university.
The controversy surrounding Kirk's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While some have praised his influence, others have criticized him for his divisive rhetoric and comments towards minorities, LGBTQ+ students, and immigrants. The debate has sparked a national conversation about what it means to be an inclusive university.
For many students at UVU, the aftermath of the incident hasn't been abstract - they've lived inside it. "It's divided us a little more," said Howe. Some want the university to focus on unity and collaboration rather than politics. José, 19, hopes that people won't judge UVU based on one event, but rather remember its true values.
The university has taken steps to address the controversy, including forming a memorial committee to discuss plans for a Kirk memorial. But some students are pushing back against these efforts, arguing that they don't represent the spirit of the university. Zoey Davidson, 21, believes that UVU's legacy should be remembered for its response to the tragedy, rather than the event itself.
As UVU tries to move forward, it's clear that the incident has had a lasting impact on the campus and its students. While some want to forget the past, others hope to use it as an opportunity to grow and learn. The university's true identity is still being written - but for many students, that's what matters most.
. I think it's awesome that some of them want to focus on unity and collaboration - it's exactly what we need more of in this world 
. And I don't get why people can't separate Charlie Kirk from his own personal brand when talking about UVU... like, he was one event, not the entire school 
. The university is still trying to figure out its identity and that's okay - it's a process and it takes time 
. As long as they're working towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone, I'm good 
.
. I mean, on one hand, you've got students who want to honor Charlie Kirk's memory and celebrate the impact he had on their lives, but then you've also got others who are trying to move forward and focus on building a more inclusive community 
. it's like the country is playing out its own version of this exact debate in real-time 
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. we can't just erase the event or pretend it never happened, but at the same time, we don't want to be defined by one tragic incident 
. as students, they need to figure out what kind of university they want UVU to be - is it a place where politics and activism come together, or is it a space for unity and understanding? 
u feel me? its not just about Charlie Kirk or his legacy, its about the actual people who went through it & are still dealing with the aftermath 
& zoey davidson wants uvu to be remembered for how they responded to the tragedy, that makes total sense 
. As a parent, I just want my kids to feel safe and happy at school 
. The fact that there are different opinions on what kind of legacy UVU should have is just frustrating 
. I think it would be great if the university focused on unity and collaboration instead of politics 
. I hope UVU can find a way to heal and move forward soon 
.
I'm thinking, UTU just had a major drama moment & now they're trying to figure out who they are? 
It's like, dude you got shot on stage, calm down! 
But seriously, it's not that deep. They wanna be known for being all about unity & inclusion, but some folks still think Charlie Kirk was a total buzzkill 
And btw, who gets to decide what UVU's legacy is? It's like trying to sum up your whole life in one sentence 
. Anywayz, let's just hope they can figure it out & move on from the drama 
, but at the same time, I can totally see why others would want to hold onto the past and remember what happened 
... but at the same time, maybe this whole thing is just a chance for everyone to come together and figure out what kind of community they want to build 
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How do you even process something like that? And now the whole university is divided over Charlie Kirk's legacy? It's like, he was shot on stage and people are still debating whether to remember him as a martyr or whatever... 
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like what if uvu is more than just that? Can we please just focus on unity and collaboration now?
. Students are trying to figure out who they wanna be and what kind of uni they want this school to represent 
. Maybe we can use the past as a chance to grow and become better versions of ourselves 
. It's gonna take time, but I hope UVU comes out stronger on the other side 
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. UVU's got a lot of heart, and I hope they can find their way back to being a place where everyone feels welcome & supported 
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it's crazy how something like that can change the vibe of an entire school. I've been following all the discussions online and it feels like everyone's got their own opinion on what should happen next. Some people are all about remembering Charlie Kirk, while others want UVU to move forward and focus on being a positive force for unity... 
I don't know what I'd do in those shoes, but I think the university is trying its best to navigate this whole situation. What's really important is that they listen to their students and try to figure out how they can use this as a chance to grow and learn together