A Note on the Tragedy at UVU
Our hearts are heavy as we process what happened at Utah Valley University.
September 11, 2025
Our hearts are heavy as we process what happened yesterday at Utah Valley University, not far from where our friends at the Center for Constitutional Studies were holding a Constitution Day conference on “George Washington’s Constitutional Legacy.” Many high school ROTC cadets from all over Utah were in attendance at the conference. We have been in contact with Center for Constitutional Studies leaders yesterday evening, and all in their community are safe.
The killing of Charlie Kirk happened on a university campus – one that we especially care about – that ought to be a citadel for the free and peaceful exchange of ideas. It happened in an hour of deep public distrust, when political violence seems to be on the rise around us, in terrible opposition to all that is good about our country’s political tradition. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy, especially Charlie’s family.
This incident adds to the weight of an already heavy day, the 24th anniversary of the attacks on September 11. At such a time, we will double down on the charge contained in the founding mission statement of the Jack Miller Center to promote “civil discourse” as an indispensable contributor to “the great promise of our founding” that we can be “self-governing citizens in a free society.”
We will find every possible opportunity to affirm civility on our campuses, in our public discourse, and in our daily interactions with fellow citizens. We cherish your constructive thinking on how the Jack Miller Center can do our part to be a light in the darkness.
Michael Weiser
Chair, Jack Miller Center Board of Directors
Hans Zeiger
President, Jack Miller Center