OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University marked the one-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Thursday with a memorial event that deepened existing divisions across campus. The university, home to 48,000 students, canceled classes for the day and increased security measures as Turning Point USA, the organization Mr. Kirk founded, held a commemorative gathering in the grassy plaza where he was killed.

The event featured a 10-foot wooden cross and a bell tolling at the exact time—12:20 p.m.—when Mr. Kirk was shot during an open-air speaking engagement at the university. Supporters traveled from various parts of Utah to attend, leaving flowers and American flags in remembrance. Utah’s governor also declared the anniversary “Charlie Kirk Day.”

“We are mourning not just Charlie, but the loss of something greater,” said Michelle Davis, a local resident who visited with her daughter. Some attendees described Mr. Kirk as a martyr for free speech and Christian conservatism.

However, the memorial has reignited tensions on campus. Some students expressed discomfort with the event’s prominence and the decision to cancel classes, viewing it as an obstacle to moving past last year’s tragedy. Ruby Olsen, an anthropology major who witnessed the shooting, said many students were trying to heal. “A lot of us are trying to get over it,” she said, describing the influx of visitors as a painful reminder.

Prosecutors have charged 23-year-old Tyler J. Robinson with aggravated murder for allegedly shooting Mr. Kirk from a nearby rooftop. Authorities say Mr. Robinson targeted Mr. Kirk because of his political views. He pleaded not guilty and faces possible capital punishment.

Turnout for the memorial was encouraged with flyers distributed by Turning Point USA, and notable conservative figures Glenn Beck and Michael Knowles were among the planned speakers. Meanwhile, the campus chapter of Students for a Democratic Society organized a protest outside the event, criticizing both the memorial’s timing and the class cancellations. Ethan Cunningham, the group’s president, called the event “almost like making this a holiday.”

The university’s relatively new president, Jon Anderson, who took office last month, said he planned to attend both the memorial and the protest. Anderson emphasized the importance of creating a space for open and civil dialogue amid the campus divisions. “This event will always be part of our history,” he said, “but we will work to make sure it doesn’t define our future.” He also noted that no specific threats had been reported in relation to the anniversary and that the university would not close for future commemorations.

Despite efforts to foster unity, some students feel the incident and its aftermath continue to overshadow campus life. Since shortly after the shooting, large American flags have been displayed in the plaza, a presence that some find difficult to reconcile with their daily routines. Ashlyn Bullock, a student at the university, said the school’s slogan, “A Place for You,” no longer felt accurate for all members of the campus community. “It doesn’t really feel like a place for us,” she remarked.

Utah Valley University is also reviewing its security policies in response to the shooting and remains engaged in debates over whether to establish a permanent memorial to Mr. Kirk on campus. Last spring, the university faced further controversy when it withdrew an invitation to a commencement speaker critical of Mr. Kirk, highlighting ongoing challenges around free speech and political expression at the institution.