University Chronicle

Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Nichole Bock Arbin Rai lights his candle at the vigil for the Virginia Tech victims. Microphones were set up to let students share their thoughts and prayers with each other at the vigil.

Media Credit: Nichole bock A banner was placed outside the student government office in the Atwood Memorial Center for students to sign. The banner will be mailed to Virginia Tech.

Media Credit: Nichole Bock Students lit candles outside the Atwood Memorial Center Friday night for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. About 75 students came to remember the victims and pray for their families and the Virginia Tech community.

Although tragedy does not define a human being, the true measure of a person is seen in light of tragic events.

Just days after darkness fell on Virginia Tech, candles were lit around the Newman Center in memory of those killed in Blacksburg, Va. The candle light vigil took place at 9 p.m. April 18 at the Newman Center on campus at SCSU.

Another candle light vigil, "Hokie Hope," took place at 8 p.m. Friday at the West Atwood Mall on campus.

"All of those students and faculty got up that day probably never thinking it would end the way that it did," said Margaret Vos, Student Government Association (SGA) adviser.

Vos said the Virginia Tech staff have made three requests to help cope with their loss. They have asked to designate this past Friday as "Virginia Tech Color Day." They have asked the SCSU community to make peace cranes and to also express thoughts on a banner that will be displayed in the Virginia Tech Student Union. Vos said three banners have been made so far.

The vigil that took place Wednesday evening gave the SCSU community a chance to express prayers and hope through handwritten letters that have been sent to Virginia Tech. Community members gathered to pray for the victims and have a moment of silence in their honor.

Many wonder if it could have been avoided, and if something in Seung-Hui Cho's life could have been done to prevent him from acting out.

"Our challenge is to reach out to comfort those that are suffering from this event," Vos said. "I wish we could have learned the benefit of recognizing how important people are without having to learn the lesson with this much pain."

Although Virginia Tech is nowhere near St. Cloud, the death of 32 people makes the reality seem surreal. The shootings reverberated strongly.

"Perhaps it is hard for some people here to have these deaths hit close to home," said Kathy Langer, Newman Center pastoral associate. "To some people, it looks like it happened to them (Virginia Tech) rather than acknowledging that it could happen to us or anyone for that matter."

Langer said it is hard to internalize a situation like Virginia Tech. Although 20-30 people attended the vigil at the Newman Center, it was the hope of many that SCSU would express concern and respect for the victims at the vigil.

Newman Center Campus minister Ben Caduff said they have been reaching out in every way they can. By writing letters, praying, singing, moments of silence and acknowledgement, Newman Center employees expressed sympathy for those affected by the tragedy.

"I think the students, faculty and staff at Virginia Tech makes us realize what a small community higher education really is in this country," Vos said. "All week long I've been receiving requests that we help them get through this tragedy by realizing that everyone shares the grief and the pain."

Vos said a tragedy like this makes her realize how fragile life can be. She, along with the rest of the community, is doing what she can to show support.

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