Even the chill April evening could not quench the fire of the human – and Panther – spirit as well over 1\250 students attended the Virginia Tech Candlelight Vigil outside the HUB at 7 P.M. on the 25th.
Event organizers passed out candles to mourners and the crowd swelled before Junior Class Representative Dan Fornash began the event. He told everyone that the fundraising effort had exceeded expectations.
Within five and a half hours, all the Virginia Tech t-shirts being sold in the HUB for $5 each were gone – the free ribbons only made it four hours. Many in the crowd wore their shirts and ribbons proudly, even pulling them on over layers worn to deal with the cold. From just t-shirt sales alone, coordinators raised over $3000 for the Hokie Spirit Fund – not counting the various other collection points placed across campus.
A huge banner sprawled across several tables in the Fireplace Lounge, and many students signed it to offer a few words of encouragement to students in Virginia. “The banner is full of signatures and full of support,” Fornash said.
Preston Fuller of the United Campus Ministry led the crowd in prayer, as people gathered to light their candles. He reminded the crowd that violence exists across the world – here, and in places like Darfur and Iraq – and to have peace anywhere, “from Russel Street to Jerusalem,” people must stand up for peace everywhere.
President Steen then asked everyone to share a moment of silence. “Higher education has to do with making sense of things,” she said, from science to art. Sometimes senseless things happen, she said, and that throws off the sense of order education seeks. “We mourn ourselves as well as those who lost their lives in this and other conflicts,” she said.
The PSU Chamber Singers sang “Lonesome Road” to the crowd, who watched – intent and silent.
Greg Bowers, a transfer student to PSU from Virginia Tech spoke next. He shared his favorite memories of Virginia Tech – there, he was a member of the Marching Virginians. When he played with them, only a few feet away from Ryan Stack – the RA who was killed in the tragedy. Bowers’ message: “True compassion is the only way to achieve fulfillment for our souls.” He stressed that anger and revenge had no place. “Today,” he said, “we are all Hokies.”
Bowers began to call out the names of each victim. A line of 33 students who stood in front of the crowd – each representing one of the victims of the tragedy – began to light their candles one at a time as each name was called. The flames burned faintly and defiantly in the dusk.
As the last candle was lit, Taps began to play off behind the crowd. As the final note faded, Hope Jordan, a student and member of the Office of College Advancement, read two poems to the audience.
She was followed by Student Body President, Peter Laufenberg. He talked about a few of the victims in detail. “The story is the same over and over again,” he said, “students and professors; bright, intelligent members of the Virginia Tech community who lived vibrant lives. There is no doubt we should mourn, but we should also celebrate and honor the lives those individuals lost.”
Samantha Kenney, the Editor-in-Chief of The Clock spoke next to represent the female student community. “We honor the sense of community,” she said, “we understand loss. We come together to pay tribute to those lost at Virginia Tech, to show our support, and say to the Hokies that, ‘We understand.'”
She reminded the audience that life is fleeting. “Make sure those close to you know how you feel, take time to enjoy, and take time to barbeque on a sunny day,” she concluded.
Brooke Thornton presented the banner to Bowers’ girlfriend, Shannon Keough, a student of Virginia Tech, to take back to her community – along with the thoughts and prayers of PSU.
Afterward, Vice President Hage shared a Native American healing prayer. “Teach us love, compassion and honor, that we might heal the Earth and heal each other,” he said. “Each person is a member of the human family, and are not we, each of us, keepers of the human family?” he asked. “I am deeply honored to be in your family and have you in mine.”
Upon his conclusion, the clock tower bell rang 33 times, bringing a close to the evening.
Of the many students who attended, most came for similar reasons. “I wanted to support not just Virginia Tech, but the Plymouth community as well,” said Rachel Eames, 21, a junior Theatre major.
Not everyone got a chance to show their Hokie colors. “I went to get a t-shirt today, but they were all sold out, I was really surprised,” said Louise Collins, 21, a junior Childhood Studies major. “I think tonight is really nice,” she said. “I’m glad that they mentioned Jared Barrows, though.”
Barrows, a PSU senior, passed away Friday, April 20, as the result of injuries received in an attack on Sunday, April 15.
“I’m happy with the entire day, it was better than I had anticipated,” said Fornash. “Part of me is glad it’s over, but part of me is relieved. It seems like the campus is at rest. It gave people a chance to get back to normal.”
Members of PACE, Student Senate, WPCR, the administration and student body all facilitated the event. The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund will go to assisting victims and their families, grief counseling and memorials, among other things.
One clear message emerged from the night: everyone should reach out to each other, to include those individuals who seem on the outside – who are just waiting to be welcomed in.