Knoxville TN, September 21, 2025
News Summary
Students at the University of Tennessee unveiled a mural honoring Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which was unfortunately vandalized shortly after. Despite the defacement, the tribute drew over 1,200 attendees expressing their support for Kirk’s legacy. The university’s Turning Point USA chapter plans to hold a vigil at ‘The Rock’ in his memory, while disciplinary actions are being pursued against faculty members who made derogatory comments about Kirk after his death.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – Students at the University of Tennessee honored Charlie Kirk, a Conservative political activist, with a mural on “The Rock,” which included the message “Well done good and faithful servant” along with the numbers “93-25,” representing his age at the time of his assassination at an event in Utah on September 10. The tribute event took place on Thursday night, attracting hundreds of attendees.
Unfortunately, the mural was defaced overnight, with Kirk’s face painted in red and the original message obscured. “The Rock” serves as an expression space on campus where messages are routinely painted by students and community members, according to UT’s website, highlighting its significance for celebrating victories, expressing opposition, remembering losses, and standing against hate.
By Friday evening, the original mural had been repainted, featuring Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar in honor of an upcoming football game. Despite the vandalism, the event honoring Charlie Kirk saw over 1,200 people RSVP, with a focus on remembrance and future activism.
Emma Arns, the President of the Turning Point USA chapter at UT, expressed gratitude for the turnout, emphasizing that it came together despite the short notice. Many attendees reflected on how Kirk’s authenticity and dedication to listening made a lasting impact on their lives. A significant surge in interest was noted by the campus chapter, with over 80,000 new high school and college interest forms submitted to Turning Point USA following Kirk’s death.
To continue honoring Kirk’s legacy, UT’s Turning Point USA chapter planned to hold a vigil at “The Rock” the following week. In a related development, the University of Tennessee is pursuing disciplinary action against professor Tamar Shirinian for posting a derogatory comment about Kirk after his death, stating the “world is better off without him,” which was deemed unacceptable and detrimental to civil engagement on campus. Other professors in Tennessee have faced termination for making similar comments related to Kirk.
In response to Kirk’s tragic death, Governor Bill Lee and other officials expressed condolences and called for unity in the state. A public memorial service for Charlie Kirk is set for September 21 at State Farm Stadium, which will be open to the public. Additionally, the President of Austin Peay State University announced the termination of a faculty member for sharing insensitive content regarding Kirk’s death, while major figures in Tennessee politics are demanding accountability from faculty members who have made inappropriate comments about him.
Key Events Related to Charlie Kirk’s Tribute
- Charlie Kirk mural painted on “The Rock” as a tribute.
- Mural vandalized overnight.
- Over 1,200 attendees at the tribute event.
- Significant increase in interest in Turning Point USA after Kirk’s death.
- Vigil planned at “The Rock” the following week.
- Disciplinary actions against faculty members for negative comments.
- Public memorial service scheduled for September 21.
Understanding “The Rock”
“The Rock” is an important location on campus that serves as a means for students and community members to express their thoughts and feelings. It is instrumental in celebrating university victories, expressing various viewpoints, remembering significant events, and engaging in conversations against hate.
FAQ
What was the mural at the University of Tennessee about?
The mural honored Charlie Kirk and featured the message “Well done good and faithful servant,” along with “93-25,” representing Kirk’s 31 years of life before he was assassinated.
When did the tribute event take place?
The tribute event took place on Thursday night, drawing hundreds of attendees.
What happened to the mural?
The mural was defaced overnight with Kirk’s face painted red and the message covered up.
What did the University of Tennessee say about “The Rock”?
UT’s website states that “The Rock” is important for celebrating victories, expressing opposition, remembering losses, and standing against hate.
What actions is the University of Tennessee taking regarding faculty comments?
The university is pursuing disciplinary action against professor Tamar Shirinian for posting a derogatory comment about Kirk after his death.
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Chart of Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Mural for Charlie Kirk | Honored Kirk with a message about his life and legacy. |
| Defacement Incident | The mural was vandalized overnight. |
| Event Attendance | Over 1,200 people RSVP’d for the tribute event. |
| Vigil Plans | A vigil is planned at “The Rock” in Kirk’s memory. |
| University Disciplinary Actions | Disciplinary actions against faculty for negative comments about Kirk. |
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: Hundreds gather to remember conservative activist Charlie Kirk at UTK
- Knox News: Charlie Kirk updates and events
- WATE: UT Knoxville faculty member placed on administrative leave
- Hindustan Times: Who is Tamar Shirinian, faculty member fired over Charlie Kirk comment
- Local 3 News: University of Tennessee fires professor endorsing violence
- Wikipedia: Charlie Kirk
- Google Search: Charlie Kirk
- Google Scholar: Charlie Kirk
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charlie Kirk
- Google News: Charlie Kirk
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