University of Nebraska-Lincoln students held a vigil outside the Nebraska Union on Sept. 17, 2025, to remember Charlie Kirk
University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomores Bethany Fox, second from left, and Brayden Ebbers, third from left, attend a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Wednesday outside the Nebraska Union. “Charlie was such a light in this world,” Fox said. “He was such a phenomenal role model, and I hope that everybody can remember him for his courage.”
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Blair local Sandy Mullen, from left, Amarillo Mullen and Les Mullen hold candles during a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Wednesday outside the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Nebraska Union.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomores Bethany Fox, second from right, and Brayden Ebbers, first from right, stand together on Wednesday during a vigil hosted by the UNL chapter of Turning Point USA in honor of Charlie Kirk outside the Nebraska Union.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Police officers look out the windows of the Nebraska Union during a vigil for Charlie Kirk at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Wednesday.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Husker volleyball player Rebekah Allick, left, speaks during a vigil for Charlie Kirk at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Wednesday as Gov. Jim Pillen looks on.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Wendy Witthoff, right, holds a candle alongside her husband, Robert Witthoff, during a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Wednesday at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
A student shields her candle from the wind during a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Wednesday at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen speaks during a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Sept. 17 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
The crowd raises their candles on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, during a vigil hosted by the UNL chapter of Turning Point USA in honor of Charlie Kirk outside the Nebraska Union on campus in Lincoln. Kirk, the co-founder of TPUSA, was shot and killed while hosting a speaking event at Utah Valley University campus earlier this month.
The governor said he will "address attempts of any school administrators who actively work to block, delay or deny students from forming a TPUSA chapter."
