UVU Selects Sharon McMahon as 2026 Speaker Amid Backlash

Utah Valley University announced author and educator Sharon McMahon as its 2026 commencement speaker, drawing sharp criticism from conservative leaders and students who view her selection as insensitive given her comments following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on the same campus last year.

The university, located in Orem, Utah, selected McMahon, often called "America's Government Teacher," to address graduates at the April ceremony and award her an honorary doctorate in education. UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez, who is stepping down this year, praised the choice in a statement, describing McMahon as "an original" and "a force of nature and a force for good." Tuminez noted that as a former history teacher, McMahon understands how education can "inform, inspire and instigate courageous action," adding that her work highlights the power of knowledge, kindness and collective action in democracy.

The backlash erupted after the announcement, centering on social media posts McMahon made two days after Kirk's death on September 10, 2025. Kirk, a prominent conservative activist known for his campus speaking engagements and support for former President...