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Utah Valley students disapprove of Charlie Kirk critic chosen as grad speaker
UVU cited increased safety concerns and student backlash after McMahon’s posts on Charlie Kirk’s killing drew criticism from state leaders.
- On Wednesday, Utah Valley University announced it will proceed without a featured commencement speaker for its April 29 ceremony, canceling author Sharon McMahon's planned keynote following significant backlash.
- Student opposition grew after McMahon's deleted social media posts criticized Charlie Kirk's rhetoric following his on-campus assassination, with Caleb Chilcutt, the school's TPUSA chapter president, calling the selection "tone-deaf and disrespectful."
- In the deleted posts, McMahon wrote that "the incredible tragedy of a public assassination does not erase the harm," while the cancellation affects more than 13,400 graduates, the largest class in university history.
- University officials cited "increased safety concerns" and consultations with public safety professionals for the decision, while McMahon reiterated she called Kirk's death a tragedy, stressing "public debate must never be met with violence."
- The cancellation reflects ongoing challenges for administrators balancing free-speech commitments with community sensitivities, prompting increased scrutiny of speaker vetting and campus safety planning across institutions navigating similar controversies.
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UVU commencement speaker dropped after Charlie Kirk comments surface
UVU commencement speaker dropped after Charlie Kirk comments surface Utah Valley University has dropped its commencement speaker, Shannon McMahon, after conservative groups criticized her over past comments about Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on campus during his American Comeback Tour in…
Utah Valley University scraps controversial commencement speaker who criticized Charlie Kirk after his murder
Utah Valley University (UVU) announced on Thursday that Sharon McMahon will no longer serve as its commencement speaker after widespread backlash to her past comments about Charlie Kirk.
·New York, United States
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Utah Valley University will no longer have a commencement speaker after controversy over famous educator
Citing “increased safety concerns,” Utah Valley University announced Thursday that its scheduled commencement speaker will no longer be part of the ceremony.
·Salt Lake City, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left2Leaning Right5Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
15%
C 46%
R 39%
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