Charlie Kirk’s Legacy: A Call for Unyielding Free Speech on Campus

By Kent Ingle

Three weeks ago, America lost a bold and necessary voice. On Sept. 10, while speaking at Utah Valley University, Charlie Kirk was tragically killed by gunfire. He died doing what he had dedicated his life to: engaging students in the battle of ideas, defending truth, and exercising his First Amendment rights in one of the most contested spaces in our culture—colleges and universities.

As a Christian university president, I have witnessed how the academic landscape has shifted over the years. Many institutions have moved away from education as a tool for critical thinking and instead prioritize indoctrination, retreating from dialogue, silencing dissent, and sheltering students from ideas that could shape them into courageous leaders. Charlie Kirk understood this danger and confronted it head-on.

He did not merely speak about freedom; he stood on the front lines of a spiritual and cultural struggle, challenging the next generation to think critically, speak courageously, and stand firm in their convictions. He knew the cost of truth—and he was willing to pay it. Charlie’s presence on campuses was never about seeking applause. Instead, he modeled what higher education should embody: a space for open discourse, where ideas are tested and students are equipped to navigate complex realities.

The responsibility to foster such an environment does not rest solely on individuals like Charlie. It belongs to leaders in higher education, parents, pastors, policymakers, and all who care about shaping the next generation. The First Amendment was never meant to protect comfortable speech; it was designed to safeguard contested, inconvenient, and even offensive ideas—because liberty thrives in those spaces.

Too many universities have forgotten their purpose: to prepare students for the world, not isolate them from it. When voices are silenced simply because they challenge prevailing norms, students are robbed of the education they deserve. We honor Charlie Kirk best by continuing his work—not through silence, but through unwavering conviction.

We must defend the freedom he so courageously exercised, ensuring his message endures in classrooms, communities, and the hearts of future leaders. To raise a generation capable of speaking truth in a divided world, we must stand firm in our commitment to liberty, faithfulness, and the unafraid pursuit of wisdom.