The glow of candles lit up the area around the Cook Carillon Tower on the Allendale Campus as the Grand Valley community offered condolences and support to the students, faculty and administration of Virginia Tech.
More than 400 people gathered at 9:45 p.m., April 17, for the 33-minute vigil — a minute of remembrance for each of those killed.
President Thomas J. Haas and Student Senate president Frank Foster gave opening remarks and then several students and community members shared their thoughts and feelings about the tragic shooting.
“This was a horrific event,” said President Haas. “Students need to know that we have support staff and those in uniform who are here to offer help and keep them safe. It’s important to keep the students, faculty and staff at Virginia Tech in our thoughts and prayers.”
Foster encouraged students to sign one of the three Grand Valley flags and a card that will be sent to Virginia Tech.
Junior Carlos Northern said it was comforting to see such a diverse crowd. “Usually you see the same faces at gatherings like this,” he said. “It put me at ease to see so many different people — people I’ve never seen before.”
A man from Rockford spoke on behalf of his wife, both Virginia Tech alums, thanking the crowd for gathering and giving them a place to go to express their feelings.
Listen to audio clips from Tuesday's vigil:
- Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas said the university has support staff ready to help students.
- Student Senate president Frank Foster talked
about why it was important for the Grand Valley community to come together.
- Foster also stressed that members of the Grand Valley community need to support each other
- Grand Valley junior Carlos Northern said he was glad to see a diverse crowd at the vigil
