In lieu of the overwhelming support for the families and friends of the Virginia Institute of Technology shooting victims, individual students from across Plymouth State have been working to hold a “Virginia Tech Remembrance Day” slated for Wednesday, April 25.
Coordinators Dan Fornash and Tim Hartounian approached the Plymouth administration after several students had asked what the campus was doing in the form of a memorial for the victims.
“I wanted to just have a burgundy and orange day to support everything that had happened,” said Fornash. “Then hearing the different concerns that students had, wanting to send cards, banners, vigils and send money to charity, we started to combine and plan out an entire days worth of activities to support and remember what happened.”
Fornash and Hartounian approached several student organizations, resulting in the collective effort to plan the event. PACE, WPCR and Student Senate are a few of the organizations involved.
“The support from student organizations has been outstanding,” said Fornash.
On Wednesday, support ribbons with Virginia Institute of Technology school colors will be available in the HUB and other locations around campus to students. T-shirts remembering the victims will be available for purchase throughout the day in the HUB for $5. Collection points will also be set up in different points around campus for donations. All funds collected will be sent to the Institute to be included in the Hokie Spirit memorial fund. According to the Virginia Tech website, The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund is meant to honor and remember the victims of the tragic shooting events, The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to: grief counseling, memorials, communication expenses, comfort expenses and Incidental needs.
A large cloth banner will be available for students to write wishes to those affected that will be sent to the Virginia Tech campus.
At 7:00 P.M., there will be a candlelight vigil to remember the victims on the Alumni Green. Speakers from the Student Body and administration will lead students through the program with a reception to follow in the HUB multipurpose room. Rain location for the vigil will be Heritage Commons.
The Plymouth State University flag will be flown at half-staff in coordination with the Remembrance Day, declared officially on Thursday, April 19.