Florida school commissions a statue in memory of the recently assassinated free speech advocate, cementing its commitment to open discourse.
New College of Florida today announced it will commission a statue of Charlie Kirk to honor his legacy following his tragic assassination earlier this month. The privately funded statue, set to be a permanent fixture on campus, will symbolize the college’s dedication to defending free speech and civil discourse. The exact location for the statue is yet to be announced.
“Charlie Kirk knew that universities are ground zero for free speech and the marketplace of ideas,” said New College President Richard Corcoran. “His life and tragic death remind us all that a nation cannot survive if it abandons these rights.”
Corcoran emphasized that New College aims to be recognized as the nation’s leading institution for supporting civil debate and freedom of speech.
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The announcement comes as the college prepares to launch its expanded 2025–2026 Socratic Stage series, a platform for academic freedom and public debate.
The series will kick off on September 23, 2025, with a lecture titled “Truth, Bias and Power: How the Transformation of America’s Media is Reshaping Society,” featuring Dr. Scott Atlas, Chanel Rion, Ben Domenech, and Mollie Hemingway.
According to President Corcoran, both the statue and the Socratic Stage series are part of a larger mission to ensure that students, faculty, and the broader community experience free speech at its highest level.
Debra Jenks, Chair of the New College Board of Trustees, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Public discourse is not optional in a free society — it is essential.”
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Jackson Dawson, President of the New College Turning Point USA chapter, expressed his organization’s honor in helping to establish the tribute. “We want to raise awareness, help secure support, and ensure that future generations inherit a legacy of open dialogue and the courage to speak freely,” Dawson said.
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