Cardinal Points

Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Anubhav Agarwal Students, faculty and community members listen and watch various speakers during the candlelight vigil held last night in Amite Plaza to remember the Virginia Tech victims.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Because the following event took place after our print deadline mid-Thursday evening, this is exclusive online content that won't be seen in the print edition of Cardinal Points this week.

As talking heads gathered on various news networks to ramble and argue over excessive amounts of issues in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech slayings, Plattsburgh State students and faculty gathered with community members for an entirely different reason.

With candles held tightly to avoid distinguished flames caused by a blustery and constant wind, a packed group in the Amite Plaza listened on as President John Ettling and a number of others spoke of the tragedy in Blacksburgh, Va., during a candlelight vigil held Thursday, April 19.

"We are here together really as a family and, as a family, to mourn the horrendous losses to a family very much like ours, larger and several hundred miles to the south but very much like ours," Ettling said to the crowd that extended from the front entrance of the Angell College Center to the first island and spilled over the islands to the left and right.

The crowd watched and listened, occasionally borrowing a lighter or a nearby candle to relight their candle. Many huddled close with friends, some shed tears.

REASON

Ettling said colleges employ reason to address problems, but there are exceptions.

"But we are also proud members of a free society and as long as we are living in a free society we, and everyone else, are vulnerable to the deranged person who wants to hurt people and knows how," he said.

He reminded those in attendance that, as part of a community, there are people willing to talk, offer a shoulder to rest on or "someone to bounce our fears off of."

Tracy Guynup was one of the people who helped organize the vigil. During his time behind the podium, he spoke about some of the victims and gave a bit of insight into each life.

REMEMBERANCE

Ross Alameddine, he said, was a sophomore English major who was killed during French class. A Facebook page created in his memory called him an intelligent, funny, easy-going guy who will be greatly missed.

Ryan Clark, known as "Stack" to his friends, was in the Virginia Tech marching band and was also known as "the spirit of Tech." Clark was a resident assistant in Ambler Johnston Hall dormitory, where he, along with another student, was killed at 7:15 a.m.

"We give a voice to their stories so they can be shared and remembered for who they were - people like us on this campus, people across the country just like our fellow men and women anywhere," Guynup said.

After reading the stories of several more victims, Guynup turned the podium over to Christine Minck, assistant director of the Center for Student Health and Psychological Services.

DANGERS

Minck advised those who feel the need to seek the services of a mental health professional should visit or make a phone call to psychological services, located at the health center.

If someone is concerned about a student who they believe might be a danger of harming themselves or others, Minck said University Police should be contacted.

BRINGING US TOGETHER

The idea for the vigil came during Monday's snow day, while Guynup watched news coverage of the shootings.

"I just sat in front of the TV practically the whole day," he said. "I said I have to do something - I don't know what but I have to do something."

College students are notorious for not attending college events unless the words "free" and "food" are attached, but Guynup said the turnout at the vigil proved college students care.

"There's an idea college students are apathetic," Guynup said. "I really don't think that's the case."

Student Association President Kim Garrison, who introduced each speaker and helped Guynup organize the vigil, said she was pleased and surprised with the turnout.

"I would have been happy with just five people," she said. "The fact we got more is phenomenal."

REACTIONS

PSUC sophomore Judaisy Martinez spent much of the vigil sitting on one of the benches. Seated beside her was a box memorial she constructed. Inside were candles illuminating images of the tragedy and on the bottom was a sheet with names and information on several of the victims.

"I saw myself in some of their friends," Martinez said, referring to students at Virginia Tech. "I saw myself in the shoes of a victim."

Martinez said she didn't know about the shootings until her concerned mom called her Monday. Her mother, unsure of the specific name of the city her daughter went to college in, associated Plattsburgh with Blacksburgh.

Lynn Valenti, a Plattsburgh resident who attended the vigil, said she was reminded of her time as a Peru Central German teacher as she learned part of the shootings took place in a German class. The teacher of that class, Jamie Bishop, joined four students who died there.

One particular Virginia Tech faculty member who was killed that day drew praise from Valenti for his courageous actions.

Liviu Lebrescu, 75, died while blocking the doorway to his classroom from the shooter, Cho Seung-Hui, while urging his students to run to safety.

"He was saving these people who had their whole lives ahead of them," Valenti said. "He was very courageous."

As the vigil ended and the crowd dispersed, a few remained.

Students consoled others in hugs, Martinez remained seated as people continued to shuffle over to her box in curiosity, and one student sat with his face buried in his hands, a girl wrapping her arm around his back.

Guynup said students generally have small, tight knit groups they spend their time with during college, but for the vigil, one large group was formed.

"Once you are on campus long enough," Guynup said, "you start to feel a part of that community."

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