Utah Valley University (UVU) allegedly backed out of a Sept. 10, 2026, service planned to honor Kirk on the first anniversary of his assassination on its campus, The Cougar Chronicle reported, citing an anonymous source. In March, UVU announced American author and podcaster Sharon McMahon as its 2026 commencement speaker, according to The Cougar Chronicle. McMahon notably criticized Charlie in an Instagram post captioned with “Charlie Kirk, In His Own Words” days after his assassination, outlet reported. “Sharon unequivocally condemned the murder of Charlie Kirk, repeatedly and publicly calling his death a tragedy and stressing that public debate must never be met with violence,” McMahon’s spokesperson told The Salt Lake Tribune. The university had hosted a Sep. 19, 2025, vigil following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, though the event only mentioned Kirk once while offering abstract appeals for campus unity, The Cougar Chronicle reported.