It took two decades for Utah Valley University to evolve from a small community college into the state’s largest school that boasts of having one of the safest campuses in the nation
It took two decades for Utah Valley University to evolve from a small community college into the state’s largest school, boasting of having one of the safest campuses in the nation.
It took only seconds for that image to be shattered by the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk.
The sprawling campus of nearly 50,000 students beneath the Wasatch Mountains will be forever tethered to the events of Sept. 10, when a bullet took down the founder of Turning Point USA as he spoke to a large crowd at an outdoor amphitheater in the middle of campus.
The university — largely unknown outside Utah until now — was fixed in an unwanted national spotlight during the search for Kirk’s killer. Students and faculty returned to classes this week still reeling with grief, fear and anxiety, and confronting a thorny question: How do they deal with UVU’s sudden infamy?
“This has put the university on the map and given it more attention than it’s ever received,” said branding expert Timothy Calkins, a professor at Northwestern University. “They certainly didn’t want this situation. But they have to find some way to come back.”
University leaders say they’re focused right now on the safety of students and their community, but they’re already starting to think about how to reshape the school’s shattered identity.
Kyle Reyes, one of Utah Valley University’s vice presidents, said he hopes the school can be a model of healing and embracing difficult dialogue.
“We know that the eyes are on us and we’re not going to shy away from demonstrating our resilience collectively on this,” Reyes said.
The school has had only minimal violence for years, according to data collected by the U.S. Department of Education. UVU’s most recent report for its main campus in Orem, covering 2021-2023, showed police investigated or received reports on four aggravated assault allegations, 13 rape allegations, one apparent arson and no cases of murder or manslaughter.
