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UVU Picks Sharon McMahon for Commencement Amid Shooting Controversy

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Utah Valley University selected author Sharon McMahon as commencement speaker after the September campus shooting that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
McMahon expressed sorrow over Kirk’s death while also calling some of his rhetoric bigoted.
Kirk’s supporters accused the university of callous indifference toward their grief.
University president Astrid Tuminez praised McMahon as a “force of nature and a force for good” for the graduating class.

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Story summary

Utah Valley University selected author Sharon McMahon as commencement speaker after the September campus shooting that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
McMahon expressed sorrow over Kirk’s death while also calling some of his rhetoric bigoted.
Kirk’s supporters accused the university of callous indifference toward their grief.
University president Astrid Tuminez praised McMahon as a “force of nature and a force for good” for the graduating class.