torg01

Candlelight vigil for NIU under Torgerson Bridge at Virginia Tech.

Photo courtesy of Brian Sewell.

Original Source: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/briansewell/2276409600/in/set-72157603940117393/">http://flickr.com/photos/briansewell/2276409600/in/set-72157603940117393/</a>

Brian Sewell

2008-02-20

Kacey Beddoes

Brian Sewell

eng

DSC_5326

A group holds candles at the Virginia Tech vigil for NIU.

Photo courtesy of Brian Sewell.

Original Source: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/briansewell/2276399422/in/set-72157603940117393/">http://flickr.com/photos/briansewell/2276399422/in/set-72157603940117393/</a>

Brian Sewell

2008-02-20

Kacey Beddoes

Brian Sewell

eng

DSC_5319

NIU candlelight vigil under Torgerson Bridge at Virginia Tech.

Photo courtesy of Brian Sewell.

Original Source:
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/briansewell/2276397720/in/set-72157603940117393/">http://flickr.com/photos/briansewell/2276397720/in/set-72157603940117393/</a>

Brian Sewell

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Brian Sewell

eng

DSC_5311

Roof-top view of the candlelight vigil at Virginia Tech for NIU.

Photo courtesy of Brian Sewell.

Original Source: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/briansewell/2276397034/in/set-72157603940117393/">http://flickr.com/photos/briansewell/2276397034/in/set-72157603940117393/</a>

Brian Sewell

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Brian Sewell

eng

Vigil pays respect to Virginia Tech victims and families

By: Laura Fong | Freelance reporter |
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News

In honor of the 33 lives lost during the Virginia Tech shooting on April 16, University students and community members held a candlelight vigil in the Erb Memorial Union Amphitheater on Monday night.

Tea lights dotted the photographs of the 33 victims that lined the bottom step of the amphitheater. Attendees quietly lit candles and wrote their thoughts to the victims&#39; friends and families on white pieces of paper that would later be sent to Virginia Tech.

University junior and family and human services major Jory Card organized the event through a Facebook group commemorating the victims of last week&#39;s shooting.

"These people are just like us - they could be your friends, your family," Card said to the crowd of about 60 attendees. "This is a time to be quiet with your friends and honor those who were lost."


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<a href="http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/24/Video/Video.Campus.Mourns.Virginia.Tech-2876566.shtml">Watch video from the vigil</a>

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University senior and journalism major Meghan Hilliard heard out about the event from Card, who is her roommate. Hilliard said she had a "reality check" when Card brought home the stack of 33 photographs of the victims later used for the vigil.

"The fact that the pictures take up the whole first row of our EMU amphitheater, I think is astounding," Hilliard said. "It&#39;s a real eye-opening visual because we hear of the 33 victims, but to see them is really impacting."

Lane Community College freshman Elizabeth Ashworth said she came to the vigil to pay respect to the Virginia Tech students and faculty.

"I realize how short life is and that it can be taken away, just like these people here," Ashworth said.

Ashworth heard about the vigil from her friend Megan Funke, a University freshman and psychology major, who also emphasized the importance of paying her respects to those affected by the shooting.

"If my friends were gone like this tomorrow, I don&#39;t know what I would do; it&#39;s such a huge tragedy." Funke said. "There are a lot of people whose lives (the victims) did affect, and I don&#39;t think that should be forgotten just because we&#39;re far away. "

Hilliard agreed that the far distance from Virginia Tech is unimportant, and that unfortunate events like the Virginia Tech shooting unite students across the country.

"In situations like this, campuses unite as one; campus lines are blurred since we&#39;re all going to school," Hilliard said. "This happened about 3,000 miles away, but it&#39;s still pertinent here and everywhere else."

Card said he wanted to bring students together one week after the shooting to remind them that they have "the ultimate say in our campus&#39; safety."

"I want to honor the victims and spark a change on campus to bring us together," Card said. "I&#39;d like to re-evaluate the true meaning of having a safe campus."

Card said that "safety" should extend further than "physical safety." People should also be respectful of those who have different opinions and backgrounds.

He asked the attendees: "How many times have you seen someone on 13th Avenue that you recognize and just ignore? I&#39;m guilty of it too. My challenge to you is to find a way to bring us together as a campus."

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Photo by:Amber Mees

Original Source: Daily Emerald
<a href="http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/25/News/Vigil.Pays.Respect.To.Virginia.Tech.Victims.And.Families-2879322.shtml">http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/25/News/Vigil.Pays.Respect.To.Virginia.Tech.Victims.And.Families-2879322.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/25/News/Vigil.Pays.Respect.To.Virginia.Tech.Victims.And.Families-2879322-page2.shtml">http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/25/News/Vigil.Pays.Respect.To.Virginia.Tech.Victims.And.Families-2879322-page2.shtml</a>

Laura Fong (Author)/Amber Mees (Photo)

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Judy Riedl <jriedl@uoregon.edu>

eng

Moment of silence held for Virginia Tech victims

By: Tess McBride | News reporter
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News

During the two minutes of silence held Thursday around noon for the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy, more than 150 heads hung low while many students and community members wiped the tears from their cheeks, reflecting on the loss of 33 people connected to them through the unity of higher education.

"I think it&#39;s important for all the students at U of O to show their support," said Madeline Wigen, a University student and the ASUO finance coordinator, who attended the memorial.

Similar memorials were held on campuses across the country Thursday and today, something Wigen said made her feel connected to students across the nation and at Virginia Tech.

"Probably many students don&#39;t know somebody on that campus. This is a way to reach to the greater university community," she said.

The memorial, sponsored by the ASUO, the Veterans and Family Student Association, the Office of the President and the Office of Student life, was short and speakers from the ASUO and VFSA emphasized the importance of coming together as a community.

"We need unity now more than ever," said ASUO President Jared Axelrod, who spoke at the memorial. "I didn&#39;t know any one of the victims, but in the sense we are all in the university community and in a community as a whole, it&#39;s important to come together."

Thirty-three candles were lit, one for each death, and will remain burning until today at noon, when a moment of silence will be observed and then broken by the ringing of the campus carillon bells.

Orange and maroon ribbons were passed around and attendees were asked to sign a large banner, which will be sent to Virginia Tech after it&#39;s filled with notes of sorrow and encouragement.

"I said &#39;I send my love and prayers,&#39;" said University freshman Krista von Stein of what she wrote on the banner. "I can&#39;t fathom what they&#39;re going through, but I definitely feel connected to them."

While this is a difficult time for all members of the University community, Amanda Lopez, a University student who attended the event, said it&#39;s not a time to turn away.

"I think this is a really important time to reflect on these great students and their memory and to look past the difficulty of the situation and remember the victims," said Lopez, the ASUO programs administrator.

Sean Jin, a University sophomore and member of the VFSA who spoke at the memorial, said he still hasn&#39;t gotten over the shootings of Monday morning and that he doesn&#39;t think other students have either.

"After the event happened there was sort of a somberness on campus. Everybody was affected by this event," he said.

Jin said he believes emphasizing the importance of community today will prevent tragedies similar to this one from happening in the future.

"The most important thing we have to focus on is prevention of these things," Jin said.

Contact the people, culture and faith reporter at tmcbride@dailyemerald.co

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Photo by:Christin Palazzolo

Original Source: Daily Emerald
<a href="http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/20/News/Moment.Of.Silence.Held.For.Virginia.Tech.Victims-2870961.shtml">http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/20/News/Moment.Of.Silence.Held.For.Virginia.Tech.Victims-2870961.shtml</a>

Tess McBride (Author)/Christin Palazzolo (Photo)

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Judy Riedl <jriedl@uoregon.edu>

eng

Message Board at vigil for NIU

An attendee looks at a message board on Alumni Mall during the Virginia Tech vigil for NIU.

Photo taken February 18, 2008.

Kacey Beddoes

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Kacey Beddoes (kbeddoes@vt.edu)

eng

Message Board at vigil for NIU

Messages of support written at Virginia Tech&#39;s candlelight vigil for NIU.

Photo taken February 18, 2008.

Kacey Beddoes

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Kacey Beddoes (kbeddoes@vt.edu)

eng

Message Board at vigil for NIU

Messages of support written during the candlelight vigil at Virginia Tech for NIU.

Photo taken February 18, 2008.

Kacey Beddoes

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Kacey Beddoes (kbeddoes@vt.edu)

eng

Message Board at vigil for NIU

An attendee signs a message board for NIU at Virginia Tech vigil.

Photo taken February 18, 2008.

Kacey Beddoes

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Kacey Beddoes (kbeddoes@vt.edu)

eng