One Year Later: Remembering those lost at Virginia Tech
By Amanda Seef
NEWS EDITOR
 |
File Photo |
With the memory of the Virginia Tech massacre still fresh in student’s minds, college campuses across the country solemnly remember the first anniversary.
The tragedy April 16, 2007 left 32 members of the Virginia Tech community dead and many more injured, making it the deadliest school shooting in United States history, followed by the Columbine massacre in 1999.
The Day of Remembrance for Hokies is Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
“On this day, the Virginia Tech community reflects on the vibrant lives of the 32 students and faculty who were tragically taken from us a year ago,” the Web site for the Day of Remembrance read.
“Through light, art and music we pay tribute to each and every person we lost. We gather to honor our friends, colleagues and family members. We will never forget.”
On Virginia Tech’s campus, the day will begin with the reading of each victim’s name and a few qualities of each. By sundown, campus will assemble for a candlelight vigil.
The victims are remembered as brilliant, compassionate and iron-willed. Biochemists, political scientists and engineers — all lives cut short while working toward earning their degrees.
“We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness,” VT professor Nikki Giovanni said. “We will prevail.”
Four days after the nation remembers those lost at Virginia Tech, the Littleton, Colo. community will remember the 15 lives lost during the Columbine massacre.
At Brockport, the anniversary will be remembered Wednesday with a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. by the flagpole in the Union Mall. Orange and maroon ribbons will be available across campus.
The massacre threw a new spotlight onto campus safety. The efforts for better safety on campus and improved plans for emergency management has strengthened throughout the past year, and will continue to be looked at.
The administration is consistently working together, with other schools, to safeguard our community and encourage the employment of emergency management teams.
Brockport has implemented the SUNY NY-alert system which sends emergency notifications in a variety of mediums. The first test of the system was Monday, April 7.
“It has been a difficult year, but it has been a year where people haven’t shrinked from trying to learn and improve,” Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine said.
Virginia Tech: One year later
BSG elects announced
Pi Kappa Phi conducts sit-a-thon to raise funds
The Price is Always Right hits big
BSG Board of Directors approve club budgets
Lambda Pi Eta inducts new members
Spring cleaning: Village picks up brush and trash
Powers gains endorsement from Monroe County Dems
Criminal Justice Student Association brings special agent