The one-year anniversary of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is generating controversy at Utah Valley University.
Officials there are accused of backing out of a “joint memorial service” with Turning Point USA, according to the Cougar Chronicle.
“The event was set to take place on September 10, 2026, and would have allowed Turning Point USA to hold a commemorative service on the same ground where Charlie Kirk was killed,” the independent publication reported. “However, according to our source, UVU suddenly reversed and began stonewalling communications, which were being conducted between them and TPUSA’s national leadership.”
Campus officials will instead cancel classes and have directed students to participate in a pre-existing United Way volunteer day.
The Cougar Chronicle points out this event is “not a new event meant to commemorate the anniversary.”
It also criticized the university for appearing to skirt around the issue of Kirk’s assassination.
Instead, an email refers to the “tragic events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death.”
https://x.com/TheCougChron/status/2085876376222171163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://x.com/KimballCall/status/2085878092686594157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“Wait, you mean to say that his death itself wasn’t tragic? Why is UVU allergic to handling this situation with any class at all,” Kimball Call, the editor-in-chief of the publication, wrote on X.
The university has struggled with how to address the assassination. It drew significant backlash after initially inviting podcast Sharon McMahon to give the commencement speech.
McMahon decided that after Kirk’s death it was necessary to malign him.
“To many Americans – especially if you are black, LGBTQ, or Muslim – Charlie Kirk was not a person who simply engaged in good faith debates on college campuses,” she wrote, along with quotes from the TPUSA leader.
The school canceled the invitation after backlash.
The case against Kirk’s accused killer will also continue in September.
The final day of a preliminary hearing to decide whether to move to trial against Tyler Robinson is scheduled for September 1.
Earlier in July, the prosecution and defense spent a week questioning witnesses and presenting evidence to Judge Tony Graf.
[Featured image from Charlie Kirk’s YouTube]
Matt Lamb currently works as an associate editor for The College Fix. He also contributes to a variety of websites, including Human Life Review and AMAC Newsline. His work has been published by The Federalist, Townhall, and The Daily Caller. He has worked for Students for Life of America and Turning Point USA.
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