West Virginia University - News and Information Services
WVU students organizing candlelight vigil Wednesday in memory of Va.Tech victims
Interfaith service also planned
UPDATE- Send messages to the Virginia Tech community at http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/htdocs/VirginiaTech/
Student leaders at West Virginia University are planning a campus-wide candlelight vigil to remember the victims of today’s (April 16) horrific shootings at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. The University community and general public are invited to attend.
Students will gather at 9 p.m. Wednesday (April 18) in Woodburn Circle on the Downtown Campus (inclement weather plan is Mountainlair). WVU Student Government Association President David Kirkpatrick and a University official will offer brief remarks.
Also Wednesday, students can offer their condolences on a banner in the ’Lair, Kirkpatrick said, and SGA will hand out ribbons – in Virginia Tech orange and maroon – for people to wear as a sign of support.
In addition, an interfaith vigil will take place at 9 p.m. Tuesday (April 17) in the Mountainlair ballrooms. It is being sponsored by the WVU United Methodist Student Movement.
Kirkpatrick said news of the tragedy was shocking – many students and faculty have friends or colleagues at Virginia Tech.
“I want to pay the families and friends of the ones whose lives were taken my deepest condolences,” he said.
Earlier today, WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. issued this statement, “The WVU community extends it deepest sympathies to our colleagues and friends in Blacksburg. Our campus police are alert to the incident and are monitoring the situation as it unfolds. If deemed necessary, increased coverage by our campus police will be initiated.”
Monday’s rampage at a residence hall and classroom at Virginia Tech left at least 33 people dead, including a gunman – and many more injured – at last report, marking the worst school shooting in U.S. history.
WVU students in need of counseling are encouraged to visit the Carruth Center in the Student Services Building next to the Mountainlair on the Downtown Campus, or call 304-293-4431. Also available for students to talk to: Resident Faculty Leaders, residence hall staff, campus ministry and officials in the Office of Student Life.
The Faculty Staff Assistance Program is also accepting calls during business hours at 304-293-5590, or employees and students can call the 24-hour Healthline at 1-800-982-8242.
Student Government Association
Cell: (304) 276-2768
Office: (304) 293-6997