Utah Valley University (UVU) will not feature a commencement speaker today following backlash over the original speaker selection. 

Sharon McMahon, an author and educator sometimes referred to as “America’s Government Teacher,” was originally slated to speak at UVU’s April 29th graduation ceremony, but past online commentary critical of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk resurfaced, leading to her being disinvited.

McMahon’s statements, which include accusing Kirk of purporting “bigoted ideas” by which “millions of people feel they were harmed,” many in the conservative movement pointed out, disqualified her from speaking at UVU, particularly as the campus was the site of Kirk’s tragic assassination last fall.

Upon McMahon’s selection, UVU President Astrid Tuminez released a statement explaining the choice of commencement speaker, in which she referred to her as “a force of nature and a force for good.” 

“As a former history teacher, she understands that education can inform, inspire, and instigate courageous action,” Tuminez continued, adding that “she underlines how each of us can contribute to a vibrant democracy and how strength comes from knowledge, kindness, and collective action.”

But, as Desert News reported, critics called her “tone deaf” and TPUSA leaders and Republican politicians erupted.

“She’s a force for good, how?” Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet fumed. “Disappointed. Disgusted.” 

Utah Senator Mike Lee added, “UVU couldn’t even wait a year before scheduling a commencement speaker who defamed Charlie Kirk in the days immediately following his horrific murder on UVU campus.”

UVU’s TPUSA chapter president Caleb Chilcutt called the decision “hurtful and callous” in a statement on X:

A spokesperson for McMahon defended her in a press release, saying, “Sharon unequivocally condemned the murder of Charlie Kirk, repeatedly and publicly calling his death a tragedy and stressing that public debate must never be met with violence.”

Still, on April 16, UVU revoked McMahon’s invitation to speak and announced that there would not be a replacement speaker for the 2026 graduation ceremony, citing “increased safety concerns.” 

Since her removal, the New York Times has pointed fingers at the right—often critical of “cancel culture”—for what it frames as hypocrisy in “canceling” McMahon.

Utah Congressman Burgess Owens framed things differently, however. In an open letter to McMahon, Owens recommended her withdrawal from the speaking engagement, saying it “would demonstrate that [she is] capable of placing the well-being of students and the dignity of the occasion above [her] own platform.”

Readers can decide where they stand on this episode. What is clearer is how it fits within a broader pattern this commencement season. As National Association of Scholars President Peter Wood notes, universities appear increasingly attuned to the risks of backlash, shaping decisions in anticipation of controversy.