Utah Valley University has dropped its commencement speaker, Shannon McMahon, after conservative groups criticized her over past comments about Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on campus during his American Comeback Tour in September.
The university said on April 16 it will no longer have a featured speaker following consultations with public safety officials and McMahon, a New York Times best-selling author and educator. The commencement ceremony is scheduled for April 29.
“Due to increased safety concerns related to the speaker and in consultation with public safety professionals and Sharon McMahon, Utah Valley University has decided to proceed without a featured commencement speaker for this year’s ceremony,” university officials told local outlet KUTV.
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McMahon’s selection drew scrutiny over comments she made following Kirk’s assassination, which occurred on UVU’s campus earlier this academic year, according to Salt Lake City television station KUTV.
