ST. LOUIS - Charlie Kirk's beliefs were popular among many groups, but especially among conservative young adults, who said he helped them see their own beliefs in a new light.

“He made it almost cool to be conservative again,” said Ella Bruno, president of the Washington University Republicans. “He was very confident, very outspoken and that's something that we don't see nowadays. It's almost not acceptable in this generation to be right-leaning or to have conservative values, but he said, ‘No, it's okay to love your country. It's okay to be patriotic.’”

Bruno said she knows that her beliefs may not be popular with her peers...but political influencers like Kirk made it okay for people like herself to share their take.

​“One of Charlie's main goals was to have dialogue across differences and then come to a mutual understanding at his events. He gave the mic; the mic was open to everyone, everyone could speak,” Bruno said.

Following the tragedy on Wednesday, when Kirk was shot and killed during his "American Comeback Tour," young conservative adults on college campuses were hit the hardest.

Bruno reflected on how she's coping.

“I would never wish upon my worst enemy what happened to Charlie,” Bruno said. “It doesn't matter what political ideology you have; political violence has no place in this country.”

Bruno said established programs at WashU will continue Kirk’s legacy of open dialogue, which he allowed at each event he hosted.

“I think this is only going to ignite us to further our mission, to further dialogue across differences,” Bruno said.

Washington University Republicans said they hope to bridge that gap between the two sides by hosting meetings open to students who are both liberal and conservative, where they can hold conversations peacefully.