Rising above darkness: UVU vigil for unity encourages healing and compassion amidst tragic Kirk shooting
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- Attendees raise their electric candles in solidarity at UVU’s Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
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- Former UVU president Matthew Holland speaks during the Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
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- The selection “Oh Love” is performed by Utah Valley Institute Singers during UVU’s Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
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- UVU president Astrid Tuminez speaks during the Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
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- Attendees take their seats before the Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
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- UVU student body president Kyle Cullimore speaks during the Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
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- Attendees raise their electric candles in solidarity at UVU’s Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
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- People observe a memorial for Charlie Kirk ahead of UVU’s Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
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- Attendees listen during the Vigil for Unity at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
A little more than a week after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on the campus of Utah Valley University, hundreds gathered inside the UCCU Center on Friday to find hope and healing in the wake of tragedy.
UVU hosted a “Vigil for Unity” to provide a space for students, faculty, staff, and community members to join as one in honoring Kirk, while speakers offered words of compassion and encouragement to help those still processing the act of violence on campus.
Kirk, founder of the organization Turning Point USA was shot on Sept. 10 while speaking with students and attendees during the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” on the university’s campus, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
The 31-year-old died a short time later after being transported to a nearby hospital.
The incident has left many students with a range of emotions from feeling scared, angry, numb and anxious to be back on campus.
Katelyn Sperry, a sophomore at UVU said she wasn’t at the event when Kirk was struck by the single gunshot, but she lives right across the street from the university.
She described the feeling of being back on campus as heavy.
“It’s kind of just somber,” she said. “Like, pretty sad and a lot of people are I think just grieving.”
Sperry was one of many students and community members at Friday’s vigil looking for solace and comfort.
“I just love America and I love what Charlie Kirk stood for,” she said. “I wanted to be here and remember (him) and be unified as a university.”
Sperry praised UVU for providing mental health resources and support from professors as students try to navigate their feelings about the recent event and refocusing on their courses.
Finding light in the midst of a dark time
At Friday’s event, students and community members in the audience could be seen consoling one another. Many held electric candles that had been passed out at the door, while others held flowers to place onto one of the several memorials outside of the campus in honor of Kirk.
Following a performance of the national anthem, a short video montage of Kirk and selection by the Utah Valley Institute Singers, a series of remarks began with UVU student Caleb Chilcutt, who reinforced the event’s message of unity and courage.
“Let us choose courage; courage to listen, courage to love and courage to heal together,” he said. “My prayer is that tonight as we leave, we carry forward a renewed commitment to peace, to respect and to unity. Because those values are what will help us move forward together.”
Elder Matthew S. Holland, a former president of UVU and a General Authority Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, acknowledged the long-lasting impacts that the incident will likely have on campus, while urging students to stand together in rising above the darkness.
A show of compassion that he believes is already clearly visible.
“When one student suffers, we all do and one another is comforted, we are all lifted,” he said. “Evidence that you are already responding this way is everywhere. What an inspiration you are to me and what a signal you are sending to the world about what it means to be part of the UVU community.”
Holland, who served as the university’s president from 2009-2018, said despite the tumultuous act on campus nearly two weeks ago, he believes the aftermath will result in a stronger and resilient community.
“UVU seems not just equipped to survive this moment; it’s built for this moment,” he declared. “It’s a place where students across a wide range of viewpoints and backgrounds can be equipped to explore, debate and defend different ideas — but with a common commitment to fairness, dignity and respect for all.”
UVU president Astrid S. Tuminez highlighted the ongoing resources being made available to students as they return to campus with mixed emotions but with a desire to prioritize their education.
It’s not lost on her or anyone at UVU that the nation’s eyes have been planted on the recent shooting, with the university’s campus at the center of the devastation. Tuminez believes the world will see a school that bonds together through hardship.
“The world is beginning to see a university community that is not afraid of differences, where people, imperfect as we all are, are willing to believe in and practice exceptional care for one another,” she said.
Kyle Cullimore, UVU student body president, urged students and attendees to transform their pain into action by promoting understanding, grace and resilience.
“The tragedy on our campus has reminded me that violence doesn’t just happen out there in the world somewhere,” he said. “It can touch so much closer than we’ve even imagined. It has touched our campus, it has touched our classrooms, our friends and our families. It reminded us how deeply in times of need, we utterly and desperately need each other.”
He encouraged audience members to be “shaken into action” in focusing on building relationships and showing compassion amongst each other.
Unity was on full display as Cullimore ended his remarks and was joined on stage by student body presidents from universities across the state.
The vigil concluded with an illuminating of candles throughout the audience, and a chant in memory of Kirk.
Recent UVU graduate Chandra Haskell said she was glad to have attended the vigil and believes students on campus found it therapeutic.
“It was good to come and it was healing, especially because I was with my friends at the shooting so it was healing to come with them here and find peace and comfort,” she said.
Sann Russell, a UVU student who was also at the event when Kirk was shot, said he felt that the school did a great job at honoring Kirk and acknowledging the pain people may still be feeling.
“It (was) traumatizing, you know,” he said in regards to the shooting. “But coming here (and) getting closure, it’s just a step forward.”
A full video stream of the event can be found at uvu.edu.
