'We can get better': finding unity in UVU's darkest day

Empathy, community, connection. While Sept. 10, 2025, is a day that many will remember in infamy, a day where the lives of thousands were forever changed, it is also a day that brought together communities. During the time of tragedy, confusion, and sheer terror, where screams and cries painted the hallways of UVU, people banded together. During this time of uncertainty, hugs were given, and bonds were built.

“I was in the Reflection Center with some friendly faces,” said student Josie Winder. “I was making coffee when some random guys barged in yelling about what happened.” Winder then spent the rest of the day trying to get into contact with everyone she knew. “I texted and called everyone individually to make sure everyone was safe and feeling okay mentally. I did that for about 9 hours straight. I noticed that a lot of people around me were doing the same.”

And as the news hit national channels, suddenly UVU was the center of concern for anyone who had a remote connection to the university. “Family and friends were calling me to ask about how I’m taking care of myself. It’s refreshing to see people come together in a time like this, even if not physically.” Winder then expressed that the thing that affected her most that day was when she was offered a hug. “As I was leaving the scene, one of my friends came over to me and gave me a hug that I never needed more in my entire life. It was a scary time to be there, but I felt safe in the embrace of my friend.”

And there was no shortage of hugs to be found. As buildings were cleared in the lockdown, friends and family waited just outside to be able to be there and reassure the students that everything would be fine. Many students showed up for other students during the campus lockdown, barricading classrooms and offering support. “When my classroom was getting evacuated the first thing any of my classmates did was to offer a ride to anyone who needed it,” shared another UVU student, Tess Curtis, when documenting her experience. “I was grateful because if I were to walk home, I would’ve been right in the middle of everything that was happening.”

A barricaded Pope Science Building classroom — Barricaded classroom in the Pope Science Building. | Photo Credit: Hyrum Hatch

Curtis lives just off-campus, as do many other UVU students. However, a very large population of active UVU students are commuter students, and the community banded together to get them home so they could experience some comfort and security. And if they couldn’t get home, other solutions were found. “So many people opened up their homes for people to gather to keep people from having to be alone. I was [in my apartment] surrounded by friends and coworkers just trying to calm down and take their mind off things.”

Keller-Lee C., another UVU student, was at the Green on Campus Drive, getting ready to head to class when “it started getting crowded and chaotic.” Keller-Lee works in an official position within UVU’s Housing Office and said that support came instantly from everyone in the vicinity. “The property manager, Jess, took the time to reach out to me asking if the RCLs and FCLs were ok. All my professors reached out almost immediately with resources and reassurance that schoolwork would take a back seat for now and they were here for anything we needed.”

Curtis echoed the sentiment. “My bosses and supervisors sent out emails with instructions to stay safe and resources for support. I had groups telling us to sound off to make sure everyone was safe and accounted for. Even professors were reaching out to make sure everyone was somewhere safe.”

Curtis opened her apartment doors and made popcorn and hot cocoa and watched a movie with friends and strangers. Keller-Lee also opened her doors and kept a steady stream of movies going so people could go in and out and get distractions should they need them.

Beyond all this overwhelming support from faculty, classmates, friends and more, UVU had other sources of inspiration. Flowers were left on the campus as a show of empathy for the life lost and the people left behind. Pictures of support and encouragement have been drawn, and amidst the general horror and negativity on social media following the tragedy, messages of support have been sent, and posts of empathy have been made.

American flag in front of UVU's Keller Building — Flowers outside of UVU’s Keller Building. | Photo Credit: Hyrum Hatch

One such chalk drawing stands out, with lettering reading: ‘we can get better.’ UVU has been forever rocked by this event. Lives have been deeply impacted by one decision. But the community has come together to get better. The students are standing tall, ready to return to school. “It feels like life stopped for us,” said a UVU student who preferred to not have their name shared with the public. “But it kept going for everyone else. I’m ready for life to start again, no matter how changed it’ll be.”