Appalachian State University senior psychology
major Virginia C. Bates places a flower at the end of the candle light vigil held Wednesday April 18 in rememberance of the Virginia Tech
tragedy victims.
David Mulvaney
2007-05-09
Brent Jesiek
eng
Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered Wednesday, April 18 for a candlelight vigil on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Isaac Wingfield
2007-05-09
Brent Jesiek
eng
Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered Wednesday, April 18 for a candlelight vigil on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Isaac Wingfield
2007-05-09
Brent Jesiek
eng
Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered Wednesday, April 18 for a candlelight vigil on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Isaac Wingfield
2007-05-09
Brent Jesiek
eng
A State United
Gary Phibbs
2007-05-09
Gary Phibbs
eng
Hundreds attend Salem State vigil for Virginia Tech
By Meghan Griffin/salem@cnc.com
GateHouse Media
Wed Apr 25, 2007, 09:36 PM EDT
SALEM - The vigil held at Salem State College on Monday began with the most important thing, the reason some 300 students and faculty had assembled: the 32-plus victims of the Virginia Tech shooting.
Michael Mitchell, president of the Student Government Association, started the vigil by reading each of the victims' names.
"We will keep them in our hearts forever," said Mitchell.
The students and staff who congregated on the lawn of Salem State's Central Campus were there to show their compassion and support in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech University massacre.
The hundreds who gathered at Salem State held candles, and they were all outfitted in custom made T-shirts displaying the Virginia Tech logo on the front and the phrase, "Today We Are All Hokies," on the back in honor of the university's mascot.
Candles lined the walkway leading to Central Campus, and empathetic students stood in groups as they tried to make sense of the tragedy.
The disaster unfolded April 16, at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va. The nation was shocked to hear that a student open fired and claimed the lives of 32 innocent victims, including 20-year-old Ross Alameddine of Saugus, before turning the gun on himself.
Salem State's commemoration began at 7 p.m., one week after the massacre. Mitchell, who played a large role in organizing the event, extended thanks to all those who helped organize the vigil, and to the Residence Hall Association for producing the T-shirts.
President Nancy Harrington, who will retire at the end of the school year, addressed the situation and called the mayhem at Virginia Tech, "immeasurable." It is important for students to remain united in order to stay strong, she told the crowd.
The vigil brought forward the realization that a disaster could strike unexpectedly at any time, and that no one is fully protected. "We hope and we pray that this is a safe campus," Harrington said, noting that there is no guarantee that such a tragedy will not occur in this violent world.
"There is no real way to prevent something like this," Mitchell added.
A recurring theme of the evening was the need for students to recognize those they may be alienating. Cho Seung-Hui, the student killer who went on the rampage at Virginia Tech, was reportedly a loner and outcast.
"People shouldn't feel alone in this world," said Salem State junior David Overton, who addressed the crowd when the organizers asked if anyone wanted to come up and say a few words.
Dressed in all black, Overton told the Gazette the shooting had a personal effect on him. After the 1999 high school shooting in Columbine, he said, he was questioned by teachers and others at his school.
Overton, a resident adviser at Salem State, said there should have been parts of the community to help Cho Seung-Hui, and that all schools need to be prepared for such an act before it is too late.
A few people, like Overton, chose to share their personal thoughts with the crowd. Jay Carey, a Salem resident and employee at the college's Center for Adult Learning, received an overwhelming applause after reading a poem he wrote about the incident.
"It's a shame," he read, "that we only pull together in the rain."
Students wrapped up the vigil by shaping a huge Virginia Tech logo on the lawn. Photographers captured the moment with aerial shots taken from the roof. Salem State plans to send the photo, along with five signed banners and two signed wooden Virginia Tech logos, to the Blacksburg school to show support.
Harrington was impressed with the turnout. She credited Mitchell for spearheading the event, which was entirely student organized. "The tragedy at Virginia Tech touched everybody," she told the Gazette.
Mitchell said they had to act quickly to pull together the vigil.
"The purpose," he said after speaking to the crowd, "is to give people a chance to reflect."
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Original source: <a href="http://www.townonline.com/salem/homepage/x109703597">http://www.townonline.com/salem/homepage/x109703597</a>
Licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5</a>
Meghan Griffin / GateHouse Media
2007-05-21
Brent Jesiek
eng
Salem State College students, staff and others at a vigil on Monday, May 23 for Virginia Tech lined up to form the VT logo. The photo will be sent to the university as a show of support, along with signed banners and wooden VT logo symbols.
Original source: <a href="http://www.townonline.com/salem/homepage/x109703597">http://www.townonline.com/salem/homepage/x109703597</a>
Licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5</a>
Nicole Goodhue Boyd
2007-05-21
Brent Jesiek
eng
Virginia Tech Vigil on Castle Point II
Briana Gilmartin helps a fellow student light a candle in remembrance of the dead at Virginia Tech.
Original source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bytenik/470855687/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/bytenik/470855687/</a>
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0
David Pfeffer
2007-05-23
Chad Newswander
Permission
Contact: David Pfeffer
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/bytenik/)
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0
eng
Virginia Tech Vigil on Castle Point
The flag at Castle Point flows in the wind as students stand in memory of the dead at Virginia Tech.
Original source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bytenik/470838112/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/bytenik/470838112/</a>
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0
David Pfeffer
2007-05-23
Chad Newswander
Permission
Contact: David Pfeffer
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/bytenik/)
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0
eng
Gathering
Photo of a Candlelight Vigil that was held on Pittsburgh University, Monday April 23, 2007, just a week after the tragedy on Virginia Tech campus.
Original source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/radder86/472534895/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/radder86/472534895/</a>
Licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 2.0</a>
Kris Radder
2007-05-24
Chad Newswander
Permission
Contact: Kris Radder
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/radder86/472534895/)
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
eng
Names
Photo of a Candlelight Vigil that was held on Pittsburgh University, Monday April 23, 2007, just a week after the tragedy on Virginia Tech campus.
Original source: <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/radder86/472520523/"> http://www.flickr.com/photos/radder86/472520523/</a>
Licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 2.0</a>
Kris Radder
2007-05-24
Chad Newswander
Permission
Contact: Kris Radder
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/radder86/472520523/)
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
eng
SL Memorial for Virginia Tech
Tonight (4/16) at 8pm SLT, turn the grid dark, midnight in rememberance of those lost in the Virginia Tech mass murder. There will be a candelight vigil in the Kula Coloseum from 8pm until midnight. Monument by Perefim Coa.
Original source: <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/janet_powell/462239359/"> http://www.flickr.com/photos/janet_powell/462239359/</a>
Licensed under <a href=" http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical 2.0</a>
Janet Powell
2007-05-30
Chad Newswander
Permission:
Janet Powell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/janet_powell/462239359
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical 2.0
eng
In Memory of the Fallen
<b>Artist's Comments</b>
To all of the fallen at Virginia Tech, rest in peace.
Taken at Michigan State University's candlelight vigil for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre last week.
--
Photo taken Wednesday, April 18. Provided courtesy of Anne Johanna Strasko.
Original Source: <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53942334/">http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53942334/</a>
Licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5</a>.
Anne Johanna Strasko
2007-06-02
Brent Jesiek
Permission Contact: Anne Johanna Strasko (straskoa@msu.edu)
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0
eng
Virginia Tech Candlelight Vigil-OSU
Tuesday, April 17th, Oregon State held a Candle light vigil for those lost in the Virginia Tech tragedies.
I don't think I've ever been as affected by a shooting as the Virginia Tech tragedy two days ago. Possibly because it's was the deadliest one in US history, or maybe because it's my first year in college, the thought that it could have been here at Oregon State just gives me chills. Right now, we could be without a parent, a sibling, a friend, a spouse, a professor. This has impacted everyone, and it's so sad that something like this had to happen. My condolences to all who were affected by this massacre. Our hearts are with you.
Original source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniferle/464807005/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniferle/464807005/</a>
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Le
Jennifer Le
2007-06-08
Chad Newswander
Permission:
Jennifer Le
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniferle/464807005
eng
This photo was captured at the Virginia Tech candlelight vigil.
Original source: <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/geeknerd99/464198355/"> http://www.flickr.com/photos/geeknerd99/464198355/</a>
Photo Courtesy of Daniel Lin
Daniel Lin
2007-06-05
Chad Newswander
Permission:
Photo Courtesy of Daniel Lin
eng
Vigil for VTech @ Mason
Last night, a vigil was held at George Mason for those lost in the terrible tragedy on Monday at Virginia Tech.
Original source: <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirelessnic/466573792/"> http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirelessnic/466573792/</a>
Photo Courtesy of Nicolas Tan
Nicolas Tan
2007-06-08
Chad Newswander
Permission:
Nicolas Tan
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirelessnic/466573792/
eng
UVA Vigil
A vigil for Virginia Tech, at the University of Virginia on Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Original source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463708130/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463708130/</a>
Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Geary
Charlotte Geary
2007-06-08
Chad Newswander
Permission:
Charlotte Geary
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463708130/
eng
UVA
A vigil for Virginia Tech, at the University of Virginia on Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Original source: <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463708138/"> http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463708138/</a>
Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Geary
Charlotte Geary
2007-06-08
Chad Newswander
Permission:
Charlotte Geary
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463708138
eng
UVA Vigil
A vigil for Virginia Tech, at the University of Virginia on Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Original source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463699620/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463699620/</a>
Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Geary
Charlotte Geary
2007-06-08
Chad Newswander
Permission:
Charlotte Geary
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottegeary/463699620/
eng
Tragedy hits close to home
<b>Campus comes together to mourn victims of shooting</b>
By Cornelia Hall
Princetonian Staff Writer
Photo by Gabriela Aoun
Students gathered in Richardson Auditorium last night for a service in memory of the victims of Monday's shootings at Virginia Tech. With solemn faces, some stained with tears, they listened to musical performances, prayers and speeches.
Associate Dean of Religion Life Deborah Blanks took the podium first, addressing the assembled students with deliberate, heartfelt remarks. She emphasized the renewed interconnectedness of the student body, calling the Princeton community "united in heart, spirit and solidarity."
"We dare to affirm that there is strength in community," she said.
In addition to the sense of unity on Princeton's campus, Blanks spoke of its tie to all academic institutions. "When tragedy touches one life, its universal reach reminds us of the fragility and the vulnerability of all life," she noted. She closed her remarks with a prayer.
USG president Rob Biederman '08 also stressed the transcendence of the college experience, bringing the events at Virginia Tech closer to the Princeton campus. He spoke solemnly as the audience kept their gazes fixed on the podium.
"Every college campus should be a place apart; I imagine Princeton and Virginia Tech are no different in this regard," he told the gathering. "Here at Princeton, some casually refer to this as the Orange Bubble. At Virginia Tech yesterday, the bubble was ruptured, and we felt the shocks of that rupture here."
Monday's gunshots reverberated across the country, with President Bush seeking to console an appalled America and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offering a moment of silence on the House floor.
"Those whose lives were taken did nothing to deserve their fate," Bush said at a memorial held at the Virginia Tech campus yesterday. "They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now they're gone, and they leave behind grieving families and grieving classmates and a grieving nation."
One reason why Princeton felt the repercussions of the tragedy, Biederman said, is the similarity of all students' campus experiences. "As college students, we can feel for their tragedy because we too know the sense of safety and security they felt that morning. We must give our thoughts and prayers to them because we are the same."
For some, the tragedy hit especially close to home. Misan Ikomi '08, from Leesburg, Va., said about a third of her high school class attends Virginia Tech. After Monday's violence, she contacted a close friend to check in on her and was assured of her safety. "She said it's been pure chaos, like being in a movie and not really understanding what's happened," Ikomi said.
Jeff Hall '08 has a brother who attends Virginia Tech. Hall reflected on the conversation he had after calling to make sure his brother was okay. "He didn't really talk about it too much," Hall said. "He was in a building nearby when it happened, and he saw people running out the door when it happened. I didn't really get much of a reaction from him."
"Even for those of us without friends or relatives in Blacksburg," Biederman said, "it's nearly impossible to feel unaffected by what has transpired," he said.
Students clapped sporadically during the service, seemingly unsure of the appropriate response to the speeches. Applause was subdued and brief.
The speakers also offered a sense of optimism, encouraging students to look toward the future in evaluating how they go about their daily lives.
President Tilghman was traveling and could not attend the service, but Vice President for Campus Life Janet Dickerson, Provost Christopher Eisgruber '83 and several officials from Public Safety were in attendance.
At an Episcopalian memorial service in the University Chapel earlier yesterday afternoon, Princeton community members remembered the victims of Monday's attacks while searching for higher meaning through religion.
"I would hope that this would be an opportunity to develop habits of prayer and ongoing awareness of the transient nature of life and what that means for us in terms of our relationships, with one another and with God," Rev. Stephen White, an Episcopal chaplain, said after the service.
Eisgruber offered similar advice at the memorial. "Take the time to honor and value your own life and the lives of the people around you," he said.
Biederman suggested the University community address the issue of personal safety not with increased security but with increased trust.
"We should work daily to deepen and strengthen the bonds that make the college experience so special," Biederman told the gathering. "We need to look out for each other."
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Original Source: <a href= http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2007/04/18/news/18128.shtml> Daily Princetonian - April 18, 2007</a>
Cornelia Hall
2007-06-22
Sara Hood
Kavita Saini <ksaini@Princeton.EDU>
eng