Candlelight vigil for NIU

A view of the Virginia Tech candlelight vigil for Northern Illinois University.

Photo taken February 18, 2008.

Kacey Beddoes

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Kacey Beddoes (kbeddoes@vt.edu)

eng

Lighting candles at NIU vigil

Attendees light candles at the vigil for Northern Illinois University.

Photo taken February 18, 2008.

Kacey Beddoes

2008-02-19

Kacey Beddoes

Kacey Beddoes (kbeddoes@vt.edu)

eng

NIU Vigil

View of Virginia Tech's candlelight vigil for NIU on Monday, February 18, 2008. The event took place on Alumni Mall near Torgersen Bridge. The War Memorial pylons are visible in the center background.

--

Photo by Kevin Cupp.

Original Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevincupp/2275972648/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevincupp/2275972648/</a>

Kevin Cupp

2008-02-19

Brent Jesiek

Kevin Cupp (k@vt.edu)

eng

WVU mourns

Issue Date:Thursday April 19, 2007
Section: HeadLine News Section
By Tricia Fulks, Staff Writer

There was an overwhelming turnout at Wednesday night&#39;s vigil in Woodburn Circle for those lost in Monday&#39;s tragedy at Virginia Tech.

The event was hosted by the Student Government Association.

President David Hardesty offered some remarks to all that gathered.

"Any explanation we may offer may seem inadequate ... we must not give up hope for a better world," he said. "Violence can erupt in even the most peaceful of places ... each one of you is precious to your family and friends and to this University and to the future of this nation."

Students have been showing their support throughout the week since the tragedy took place Monday in Blacksburg, Va.

Jason Parsons, SGA vice president, said the student response has been poignant since Monday. As of Tuesday, more than 800 electronic cards and 350 hand-written cards were sent to the Virginia Tech campus from students at WVU.

On Wednesday SGA set out banners for the campus community to sign and to send messages of hope to those affected at Virginia Tech. Parsons said two banners were filled, and SGA members handed out over 1,000 maroon and orange ribbons for students to show their support for the Hokies.

"It&#39;s been amazing to see the hearts of students on campus," Parsons said.

The Center for Civic Engagement has also played a big part in sending thoughts and prayers to the students and faculty at Virginia Tech.

Brett White, the administrative assistant of the Center for Civic Engagement, said besides helping SGA plan Wednesday night&#39;s vigil, they also have a booth set up in the Mountainlair for students to write their messages on index cards. The cards, which read "From Your Mountaineer Friends," will be sent by the Center of Civic Engagement to the Virginia Tech campus.

But perhaps the most moving part of the week was Wednesday night&#39;s service. Over 3500 students and Morgantown residents gathered outside Woodburn Hall and held candles to honor the victims and their families of the Virginia Tech massacre.

SGA President David Kirkpatrick welcomed the crowd. Then there was a moment of silence.

At exactly 9 p.m., three chimes rang from the bell of the U.S.S. West Virginia which sits outside Oglebay Hall and is used as a memorial to students who have died.

"We hope that tonight&#39;s vigil, through words and music and reflection, begins healing," Kirkpatrick said.

"Thirty-three men and women lost their lives in Blacksburg on Monday, and tonight our heartfelt prayers go out to the families," Parsons said.

He then introduced Seyran Celik, a Morgantown resident who attends Virginia Tech.

Celik shared her story from Monday with the crowd, saying through tears that she lost two friends that day. She said she has received numerous e-mails from friends and family at WVU with the same recurring sentence: "WVU stands with VT."

"I am honored that West Virginia University has become an extension to the Virginia Tech family," Celik said.

Kasey Hott, a journalism major and the Mountaineer Idol winner, and Justin Johnson, a history major, sang "There You&#39;ll Be."

Kirkpatrick then gave closing remarks, letting students and faculty know activities will take place throughout the rest of the week for the WVU campus to continue their loving support to the Virginia Tech community.

tricia.fulks@mail.wvu.edu

--

Photo by:Billy Wolfe

Original Source: The Daily Athenaeum
<a href="http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=27613">http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=27613</a>

Tricia Fulks (Author)/Billy Wolfe (Photo)

2008-02-18

Kacey Beddoes

Leann Ray <Leann.Ray@mail.wvu.edu>

eng

Virginia Tech vigil held on campus today

Issue Date:Wednesday April 18, 2007
Section: State & Local Section

The Student Government Association is hosting a candlelight vigil tonight to mourn the April 16 tragedy at Virginia Tech.

Monday&#39;s massacre at Virginia Tech began at a residence hall and moved across campus to Norris Hall, the university&#39;s engineering building, leaving 33 people dead and many injured. The shooting is considered the worst mass killing in U.S. history.

Throughout the day, students can send messages of hope on a banner in the Mountainlair. SGA will also be handing out orange and maroon ribbons, in support for Virginia Tech, according to a press release.

The vigil will then take place tonight at 9 p.m. in Woodburn Circle, weather permitting.

"We want to do our part on our campus to extend our condolences to those and their families at Virginia Tech," said SGA Vice President Jason Parsons. "We encourage all students and those in the community to come out."

SGA President David Kirkpatrick and President David C. Hardesty are scheduled to speak.

— tmf

--

Original Source: The Daily Athenaeum
<a href="http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=27582">http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=27582</a>

tmf

2008-02-18

Kacey Beddoes

Leann Ray <Leann.Ray@mail.wvu.edu>

eng

WVU Reaction

Issue Date:Tuesday April 17, 2007
Section: HeadLine News Section

In response to the shootings at Virginia Tech, West Virginia University President David Hardesty said Monday afternoon in a statement that the "campus police are alert to the incident and are monitoring the situation as it unfolds. If deemed necessary, increased coverage by our campus police will be initiated."

Students in need of counseling are encouraged to visit the Carruth Center in the Student Services Center next to the Mountainlair. The center, open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., offers walk-in counseling services and an after-hour emergency phone consultation service (293-4431). On Monday, the center extended its walk-in services to 8 p.m.

A candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the shootings will be held Wednesday at 9 p.m. in Woodburn Circle on the Downtown Campus. The University community and the general public are invited to attend.

The WVU United Methodist Student Movement will sponsor an interfaith vigil today at 9 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

— cls

--

Original Source: The Daily Athenaeum
<a href="http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=27564">http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=27564</a>

cls

2008-02-18

Kacey Beddoes

Leann Ray <Leann.Ray@mail.wvu.edu>

eng

Students Hold Vigil for Va. Tech Victims

By David Xia
PUBLISHED APRIL 18, 2007

Approximately 300 students, faculty, and administrators gathered together at the sundial last night for a candlelight vigil held in memory of the 32 victims of the Virginia Tech shootings.

University Chaplain Jewelnel Davis delivered a message of inspiration and hope to those gathered at the base of the sundial. Davis said that during this time of national mourning, it was crucial for members of the Columbia community to band together in solidarity and offer their condolences and prayers to those grieving over Virginia Tech.

"Life will always overcome the darkness of hate, despair, and violence," Davis said.

The undergraduate student councils provided 1,500 white candles, according to Ana Ortiz, CC &#39;07 and Columbia College Student Council vice president of campus life, who spoke at the event.

As the candles were lit and the flames passed along in silent respect, those in attendance exchanged glances of support.

"We who believe in learning believe in hope," Davis said. "Light, when it is shared, overcomes darkness and spreads more light."

Only the soft pattering of the drizzling rain was audible as attendees, heads lowered in respect, observed a moment of silence.

Ortiz stated the names of the 32 students who were killed.

"One great thing about the Columbia community is that when a horrible incident like this happens, we are able to come together as a family," Dean of Student Affairs Chris Colombo said after the event.

For Mark Johnson, CC &#39;09 and vice president of the CCSC class of 2009, the shootings in Blacksburg, Va. struck very close to home. Johnson, whose hometown is Virginia Beach, said it was unsettling to see such a tragedy occur at a place he considers home. "I&#39;m happy we had something like this. It allowed me to vent," he said.


--

Photo By: Key Nguyen

Original Source: Columbia Spectator
<a href="http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/24914">http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/24914</a>

David Xia (Author)/Key Nguyen (Photo)

2008-02-18

Kacey Beddoes

Tom Faure (tomfaure@gmail.com)

eng

[Untitled]

Students light candles at a makeshift memorial in front of Burruss Hall on April 17. A massive candlelight vigil was held on the drillfield the same evening.

Photo courtesy of Ivan V. Morozov

Ivan V. Morozov

2007-09-13

Haeyong Chung

eng

[Untitled]

Students gather around a makeshift memorial in front of Burruss Hall on April 17. A massive candlelight vigil was held on the drillfield the same evening.

Photo Courtesy of Ivan V. Morozov

Ivan V. Morozov

2007-09-13

Haeyong Chung

eng

At The Vigil

2007.04.17.
A view of the crowd at the candlelight vigil on the Drill Field of the Virginia Tech campus.

Photo courtesy of Ivan V. Morozov

Ivan V. Morozov

2007-09-04

Haeyong Chung

eng