In a bold statement on free speech and civil discourse, New College of Florida announced on Tuesday that it will commission a statue honoring Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, who was tragically assassinated last week at age 31.
The statue, privately funded by community leaders, will depict Kirk seated at a table with a microphone, evoking his signature campus debate events where he engaged students in open political discussions. It will stand on the Sarasota campus as “a commitment by New College to defend and fight for free speech and civil discourse in American life,” the college stated in a social media post.
Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, while participating in one of his hallmark public debates. Authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and related offenses in connection with the killing. Kirk, a prominent conservative voice and owner of a vacation home on nearby Longboat Key, was known for championing free expression on college campuses through his organization, which has chapters nationwide, including at New College.
New College President Richard Corcoran, a former Florida House Speaker, emphasized the statue’s significance in a statement: “Charlie Kirk knew that universities are ground zero for free speech and the marketplace of ideas. These ideas are not luxuries, but the foundation of a free republic. His life and tragic death remind us all that a nation cannot survive if it abandons these rights. At New College, we will not step back from this responsibility—we will champion it and seek to be known as the number one college in the nation when it comes to supporting civil debate and freedom of speech.”
Since Corcoran’s appointment, the liberal arts institution has positioned itself as a hub for diverse policy and cultural debates, including through initiatives like the Socratic Stage series. Jackson Dawson, president of New College’s Turning Point USA chapter, credited Kirk with inspiring his leadership: “Charlie Kirk inspired me to lead our Turning Point chapter at New College.”
The announcement has drawn praise from conservative figures, with pundit Benny Johnson calling it “incredible” and Florida Voice’s Eric Daugherty urging other universities to follow suit. However, it has also sparked mixed reactions online, with some questioning the decision amid Kirk’s divisive reputation. College spokesperson Jamie Miller, vice president of communications, underscored the tribute’s purpose: “This statue will serve as a reminder of that history and our responsibility to carry it forward. Public discourse is not optional in a free society—it is essential.”
Details on the statue’s exact location and installation timeline will be revealed in the coming months, with the college affirming that any actions against the memorial will face consequences. This initiative joins a wave of national tributes to Kirk, including calls from U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and colleagues for a statue in the U.S. Capitol.
New College of Florida, the state’s only public honors college for the liberal arts and sciences, continues to evolve under Corcoran’s leadership, emphasizing intellectual freedom in the face of recent national vigils and memorials for Kirk held at universities across the country.