Media Message

A sign affixed to a light pole on the Virginia Tech campus reads "VT Stay
Strong! Media Stay Away!"

Photo taken near the April 16 Memorial on April 15, 2008.

Photo by Brent Jesiek.


Licensed under Creative Commons
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/">Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0</a>

Brent Jesiek

2008-05-23

Kacey Beddoes

Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)

eng

Reclaimed Spirit

This piece of art entitled, "Reclaimed Spirit", was accompanied by the following message from the artist:

"This work of art is hand forged totally from reclaimed materials. The feathers were forged from angle iron reclaimed from metal pallets from a local tractor dealer. The feathers are attached to a steel ring, the remnants of a feeding device found in a cow pasture. The letters VT are fabricated from square tubing again reclaimed from metal pallets, this time from a local compressor manufacturer. The ribbon of steel was recovered from an old abandoned farmhouse foundation. The copper scroll was formed from what was a door kick plate in its previous life. The paint and finish were the only items purchased new.

Truly green art, as the materials are recycled or reclaimed, so goes the victims&#39; spirit. There are 32 turkey gobbler feathers that represent the 32 victims. They are placed in a circle or wreath shape that symbolizes the circle of life. The wreath encircles the VT logo and ribbon. The ribbons&#39; colors are maroon, orange, and black rather than white to symbolize the darkest day in VT&#39;s history. The letters VT were finished to match the feathers to signify that VT&#39;s Spirit is with those victims. Finally, the copper scroll represents the Honorary Degrees given to all the victims in pursuit of higher learning.

This "Reclaimed Spirit" is a tribute to the memory of the 32 innocent students and faculty members who were tragically taken from our Hokie Nation. It is up to those of us left behind to do what we can to "Reclaim their Spirit".

Contributed by; Hunter C. Perkinson Jr., Alumni 1980

Bradford C. Van Horn, Alumni 1980"

Photo taken at the April 16 Memorial on April 15, 2008.

Photo by Brent Jesiek.


Licensed under Creative Commons
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/">Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0</a>

Brent Jesiek

2008-05-23

Kacey Beddoes

Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)

eng

Memorial Plaque

A Memorial Plaque that says:

"April 16 Memorial

THIS MEMORIAL TO THOSE LOST ON APRIL 16, 2007, WAS INSPIRED BY A SPONTANEOUS ARRANGEMENT OF 32 HOKIE STONES - THE CORNERSTONE OF BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT CAMPUS - CREATED BY GRIEVING STUDENTS FOLLOWING THE TRAGEDY. TODAY, THE MEMORIAL STANDS BOTH AS TESTIMONY TO THE HOKIE SPIRIT AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT AROSE WITHIN ALL MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA TECH FAMILY, AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE 32 INQUIRING MINDS AND INSPIRING LIVES THAT WILL BE FOREVER TREASURED.

DEDICATED AUGUST 19TH 2007"

Photo taken at the April 16 Memorial on April 15, 2008.

Photo by Brent Jesiek.


Licensed under Creative Commons
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/">Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0</a>

Brent Jesiek

2008-05-23

Kacey Beddoes

Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)

eng

Norris Flowers

Flowers on a low wall in front of Norris Hall. Photo taken April 15, 2008.


Photo by Brent Jesiek.

Licensed under Creative Commons
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/">Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0</a>

Brent Jesiek

2008-05-22

Kacey Beddoes

Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)

eng

IEEE Message

Message says:

"With reflection we remember those we lost and who lost so much

With pride we stand beside the brave

With hope we stand by you as you rebuild

Virginia Tech...You are in our hearts and minds"

Photo taken at the April 16 Memorial on April
15, 2008.


Photo by Brent Jesiek.

Licensed under Creative Commons
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/">Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0</a>

Brent Jesiek

2008-05-22

Kacey Beddoes

Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)

eng

Wall Street Journal Piece on Steve Barber&#39;s Expulsion from UVa-Wise

I thought I would copy you on my letter to the Wall Street Journal today (may 20) concerning their article on Mr Steve Barber&#39;s recent expulsion from UVa-Wise in today&#39;s edition. For the offending article, which includes some background on the affair, see:

<a href="http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB121124048245705393-C6h0S850XJ7I9GwIiHnkNxBWxls_20080619.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top">Schools Struggle with Dark Writing</a>
Schools Struggle With Dark Writings
In the Wake of Virginia Tech Killings,
Colleges Weigh Students&#39; Safety vs. Free Speech
By ELIZABETH BERNSTEIN
May 20, 2008; Page A16

Best to all,

Nick

Begin forwarded message:

To: wsj.ltrs@wsj.com
Subject: RE: Bernstein piece, May 20, Schools Struggle With Dark Writings

Regarding Elizabeth Bernstein&#39;s piece "Schools Struggle With Dark Writings" (May 20): Ms. Bernstein misses a crucial point in conflating Mr. Barber&#39;s experience at UVa-Wise with the plight of T. Hayden Barnes at Valdosta State University.

Bernstein implies that the school should have afforded Barber more latitude than it did because the context was that of "a classroom assignment for which he was expected to exercise his imagination"

With respect, I think it is the situation was more complex than she allows. Since his arrival on campus in Fall of 2007, Mr Barber strategically sought to make himself a very public figure. He advocated extremely controversial viewpoints in a series of inflammatory articles in his underground newspaper, wherein he also regularly targeting "liberal" faculty for views he deemed to be anti-American. And to top it all off, he publicly outed himself as a homosexual in the same newspaper - around about the time he was asked to appear in court to be prosecuted in a case of sexual assault case against a fellow male student.

Given this history of attention-seeking antics on campus, the comparison to the plight of Barnes is erroneous. Barnes was a social activist who did nothing to threaten anyone. As the record suggests, Barber had a penchant for generating controversy simply for the sake of it. Where Barnes&#39; actions were focused on raising awareness about an important issue, Barber&#39;s actions were of a rather more egotistical nature, focused simply on raising awareness about himself.

In complaining about the infringement on his right to freedom of speech, Mr. Barber demonstrates his complete failure to understand the fear his actions induced in the campus population that day. Indeed, having only last year graduated with my PhD from Virginia Tech, I can tell you that if I had been in Mr. Scalia&#39;s position receiving that paper, I would likely have been traumatized for life.

Had Mr Barber been allowed to remain in school, there would have been a revolt among faculty and students alike. The school was right to find whatever legal means it could to keep him from ever setting foot in the place again.

- Nicholas Kiersey, PhD

Nicholas Kiersey

2008-05-20

Nicholas Kiersey

eng

[Untitled]

University Commemoration - girl/student grieving under tree

Diana Israel

2008-05-12

Diana Israel

eng

Past, Present and Future

University Commemoration - man holding his sleeping baby

Diana Israel

2008-05-12

Diana Israel

eng

[Untitled]

VT Rescue Squad vehicle

Diana Israel

2008-05-12

Diana Israel

eng

[Untitled]

University Commemoration - lady in black cape and Tech Lacrosse shirt

Diana Israel

2008-05-12

Diana Israel

eng