Memorial Stones
Memorial stones dry in the sun on the afternoon of April 16, 2008, A Day of Remembrance. The stones were painted at a "Remembering Through Art Creation" event in Squires Student Center.
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
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Strong Stone
Memorial stones dry in the sun on the afternoon of April 16, 2008, A Day of Remembrance. The stones were painted at a "Remembering Through Art Creation" event in Squires Student Center. The stone in the center reads, "Forever STRONG
at the broken places."
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>
Kacey Beddoes
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Remember Stones
Memorial stones dry in the sun on the afternoon of April 16, 2008, A Day of Remembrance. The stones were painted at a "Remembering Through Art Creation" event in Squires Student Center.
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>
Kacey Beddoes
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Media Directives
Special instructions for the media, on display at a "Remembering Through Art Creation" event in Squires Student Center. Photo taken on April 16, 2008, A Day of Remembrance.
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
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Remembering Through Art
View of the "Remembering Through Art Creation" activities in Squires Student Center on April 16, 2008, A Day of Remembrance. The event provided participants with an opportunity to paint a memorial stone, create and decorate a kite, or leave messages in blessing boxes.
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
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Painting Memorial Stones
Students decorate memorial stones at a "Remembering Through Art Creation" event in Squires Student Center on April 16, 2008, A Day of Remembrance. An instruction sheet for the event explained:
"Please walk through the space and choose a stone that speaks to you. Carry it to a table where you can paint, write on, or decorate your stone. Take the "new stone" to the second area and participate in creating a new stone design on the floor - signifying moving forward forward, while still remembering.
We will never forget."
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
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Blessing Boxes
Blessing boxes at the "Remembering Through Art Creation" event in Squires Student Center on April 16, 2008, A Day of Remembrance. An instruction sheet for the event explained:
"Please leave a note, a drawing, a remembrance, a wish or a blessing. Seal your message in an envelope and leave it in the appropriate box(es). Each box will be sealed in the tradition of a healing, protective amulet with the intention that it not be opened."
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
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Creating Kites
Students build and decorate kites during the "Remembering Through Art Creation" event in Squires Student Center on April 16, 2008, A Day of Remembrance. An instruction sheet for the event explained:
"Create-a-Kite!
Unfurl your kite and decorate with images of hope and love, words of peace, strength and comfort. Take your kite outside and watch it lift your message to the sky and rise to the heavens. You may keep your kite or return it for others to fly."
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
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Attention Media
A sign on an entry to one of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Barracks reads:
"ATTENTION MEDIA PERSONNEL
Please respect our time and space as we reflect and remember. Media personnel and equipment are not allowed in our residence hall communities as they are considered "safe havens" during this special time. If media are found in the building, the police will be called.
Thank you,
Residence Life Staff"
Another sign below this reads:
"VIRGINIA TECH CORPS OF CADETS BARRACKS
NO ADMITTANCE BEYOND THIS POINT WITHOUT CADET ESCORT"
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
2008-05-30
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
Future of the Office of Recovery and Support
Memorandum
DATE: May 29, 2008
FROM: Charles W. Steger
TO: The University Community
SUBJECT: Future of the Office of Recovery
and Support
During the summer of 2007, the Office of Recovery and Support was created for the primary purposes of improving two-way communication with and facilitating provision of support services to the families of those who were killed on April 16, 2007, and also to those who were physically injured and their families. The work of the ORS team has been incredibly demanding. Nevertheless, under the leadership of Jay Poole, they have done a truly outstanding job and have strengthened relationships with those who were injured and their families, and with the families that lost loved ones.
With Jay's planned departure from the role of Director in July, I have consulted a number of people and spent considerable time deliberating over the future of that office. We have been advised by colleagues at other institutions that have experienced similar tragedies that those who were directly affected by the events of April 16 will be looking to the university for various types of support for a number of years to come. Moreover, we have been told and have already witnessed ourselves that the families of those who were lost and the injured students will want to maintain long-term ties to the university. Needless to say, we also want to maintain that connection.
Tending to these relationships is consistent with the vision of the Alumni Association, which "aspires to be a primary linkage between the university and its family of alumni across the globe." All of the injured students eventually will become alumni, and we wish to keep those families who lost loved ones engaged with the university (if that is their wish)Ëœin much the same manner that we seek to engage alumni. Therefore, I have determined that it would be logical to move the Office of Recovery and Support under the senior management area of the Vice President for Alumni Relations, effective July 1, 2008.
At that time, Debbie Day will assume responsibilities as Director of the Office of Recovery and Support in addition to her current duties as Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations. I envision that the ORS will continue to exist as a distinct office under Debbie's direction (within the area of the VP for Alumni Relations) until all or most of the injured students have graduatedËœprobably two more yearsËœand then its functions, which will have scaled back naturally, will be absorbed into the Alumni Relations office.
Following is a discussion of the operations of the Office of Recovery and Support as of July 1.
Mission ˆ The mission of the Office of Recovery and Support is unchanged:
To provide supportËœspecifically including improved two-way communication and facilitation of support servicesËœfor the families of those killed, the injured and their families, and others directly affected by the killings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. Further, the ORS is the central campus location to manage broader recovery efforts of the university community, such as commemoration activities.
Personnel ˆ In addition to Debbie Day as Director, the ORS will include:
 Megan Armbruster, who will continue to work with injured students and their families on a full-time basis as she pursues her Ph.D.
 Scott Johnson, who will continue to work with the families of the deceased students on a part-time basis.
 Anna Beth Benningfield, who, as part of the Provost‚s staff, will continue to work with faculty families on a part-time basis.
 Marilyn Hutchins, who will continue to work with injured students and their families and with families of deceased students on a part-time basis.
 Pam Pettry, who will continue to provide full-time administrative support for the office.
At this time, I would also like to express both my personal and the university‚s deepest appreciation to Jay Poole, Ellen Plummer (Deputy Director), Jerry Cain, Lisa Leslie, and Renae Criner for their invaluable contributions as their work with the ORS nears an end.
Office Location ˆ The ORS will continue to occupy its existing space in the CRC for the next year, after which time the office may move into space in the Alumni Center or elsewhere that better suits the needs of the ORS at that time.
In closing, I have great confidence in Debbie, Scott, Megan, Anna Beth, Marilyn, and Pam and deeply appreciate their willingness to serve the university and those who were directly affected by the April 16 tragedy in this most meaningful way as we move forward. And, I know they will appreciate your support.
-end-
University Relations
2008-05-29
Kacey Beddoes
University Relations (unirel@vt.edu)
eng
Media Message and Norris Hall
A sign affixed to a light pole on the Virginia Tech campus reads "VT Stay
Strong! Media Stay Away!"
Norris Hall is in the background. 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
2008-05-23
Kacey Beddoes
Brent Jesiek (bjesiek@vt.edu)
eng
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' 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' colors are maroon, orange, and black rather than white to symbolize the darkest day in VT's history. The letters VT were finished to match the feathers to signify that VT'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
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
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
Wall Street Journal Piece on Steve Barber'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's recent expulsion from UVa-Wise in today'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' 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's piece "Schools Struggle With Dark Writings" (May 20): Ms. Bernstein misses a crucial point in conflating Mr. Barber'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' actions were focused on raising awareness about an important issue, Barber'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'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
University Commemoration
Diana Israel
2008-05-12
Diana Israel
eng
University Commemoration
Diana Israel
2008-05-12
Diana Israel
eng
University Commemoration - students standing at Chapel
Diana Israel
2008-05-12
Diana Israel
eng