State Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) is honoring the legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk with a new scholarship that will be available to students in the Yellowhammer State.
Allen, who represents the Tuscaloosa region in the Alabama Senate, announced the creation of the Charlie Kirk Memorial Endowed Scholarship at The University of Alabama on Monday. The scholarship is established in memory of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA and became well known for holding political debates on college campuses, was killed by an assassin’s bullet during an outdoor event on Utah Valley University’s campus.
“Charlie Kirk stood for perseverance, leadership and the ideal of serving something bigger than oneself,” Allen said. “By establishing this scholarship at The University of Alabama, we honor his legacy and invest in the next generation of leaders from our state who will carry forward those same values.”
The Charlie Kirk Memorial Endowed Scholarship, administered by The University of Alabama National Alumni Association, will provide annual financial awards to incoming or continuing undergraduate students.
Senator Allen underscored the importance of higher education, civic engagement and vigorous debate as pathways to opportunity for young Alabamians and emphasized that the scholarship aims to support students who display the character and drive that Charlie Kirk exemplified.
“Charlie Kirk was an American patriot whose passion for faith and freedom inspired a generation,” Allen said. “He dedicated his life to helping young Americans rediscover that faith in God, liberty and hard work is what makes our nation great.”
Priority of consideration for the scholarship is to full-time entering freshman or current undergraduate students from Tuscaloosa County who exhibit leadership, strong moral character, civic engagement or public service as demonstrated by their involvement in on- and off-campus extracurricular activities and who demonstrate financial need as determined by federal aid guidelines. An essay is required for applicant consideration.
“Alabama holds the values of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution very dear, and The University of Alabama has a proud tradition of encouraging civil, intellectual and spirited political debate,” Allen continued. “It’s an honor to help a student do that in Charlie’s name.”
Senator Allen said he hopes the scholarship will serve as both a tribute to Charlie Kirk’s legacy and an inspiration to future leaders.
“By God’s grace, Charlie will never be forgotten, and through this scholarship, his life’s work will continue through the students who rise up to lead with the same moral courage, conviction and love of God and country that defined his life,” Allen said.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
