UVU students return to campus following Charlie Kirk assassination

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — Utah Valley University students returned to campus Wednesday morning for the first time since the Charlie Kirk assassination.

Classes at UVU were canceled after Kirk was shot and killed on campus on Sept. 10. Staff and faculty returned on Monday.

ABC4’s Bayan Wang talked to students on Wednesday about returning to campus.

Addy Anderson, a student at UVU, said that she has noticed people being friendly and checking on one another. “I saw a guy giving out free hugs in the hallway,” Anderson said.

Other students expressed how they have seen people come together following the tragedy.

“It’s really eye-opening to see people come together and especially this week, just people  renewing their faith in Christ and in, you know, wanting a safe and a better America,” said UVU student Ethan Boyle.

Another UVU student, Josh Wirthlin said, “I think the entire campus is going through a measure of trauma, just because nobody should have to have this at their college. But I do think it’s been really cathartic to see so many people reverencing Charlie and especially pointing others to Christ, which is ultimately behind all the politics what Charlie was promoting was Jesus Christ and his love for everybody.”

Additionally, Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez, UVU President, encouraged students returning to campus to utilize mental health services for support.

“To every student, staff, faculty, and friend of UVU, please know: You are not alone. We deeply care for you. We share feelings of shock, grief, confusion, and fear as we process what happened in our place of schooling and work a place that we all love,” Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez, UVU President, said. “I encourage you to utilize mental health services for yourself and to share them with anyone who may need comfort or support.”

Gov Cox speaks to students

Gov. Spencer J. Cox spoke to students today on campus.

“I know some of you are angry, you deserve to be. I’m not here to tell you not to be angry,” Gov. Cox said. “All I’m here to say is, what you do with this anger, that’s what determines where we go from here.”

Gov. Cox told the students that it is up to them, as Americans, to make that choice.

“This is either the end of something terrible and the start of something better, or the beginning of something far worse,” Gov. Cox said.