CT Features
Thursday, April 19th 2007Encouraging words for students
At a time when it's easy to feel alone and isolated, walking around campus reminds the Virginia Tech community that the country is supporting us with thoughts, prayers and words. Squires Student Center appears normal until you walk into the doors of any entrance, which are filled with posters, printed e-mails and flower arrangements. Radford University showed their Hokie love by sending orange posters covered in notes and signatures of every color that are now posted outside Colonial Hall and Commonwealth Ballroom on the second floor...
Run with running thoughts to keep healthy
With so much racing through a person's head in the aftermath of Monday's events, how does one stay on track with coping? In the process of letting go and the grief process taking over, many people tend to additionally let their bodies go--not realizing that keeping up with nutrition, sleep and exercise can help ease this difficult process...
Donations for victims
Several funds have been set up in the region to help victims' families cope with any expenses associated with their losses. Michael Vick made his own impact with a gift of ten thousand dollars by way of the Vick Foundation, and encouraged other Atlanta residents to do the same.
The United Way of Montgomery, Radford and Floyd, which is located in downtown Christiansburg, established the United in Caring Fund for Victims of the Virginia Tech Tragedy. This fund is designed to aid families with funeral fees...
Wednesday, April 18th 2007
Convocation at Cassell
Blacksburg awoke early this morning to commemorate the tragic event that occurred on Monday by attending the 2 p.m. convocation. Though students may have spent yesterday wondering what a convocation actually was and what would be appropriate to wear, this morning's unanimous feeling of support spread through campus. By 11 a.m., the line to enter Cassell Coliseum had already stretched halfway down Spring Road. Students waited patiently and anxiously for the doors to open.
Junior history major, Rebecca Buckler, said she had been in line since 10:45 a.m., and the line was almost all the way down Washington Street. Five minutes later, it was down Spring Road and media was everywhere, she said...
Listening, hugs included
Last night, the wind eerily howled--shaking walls and roofs--as if in reaction to the events that took place on an unusually cold Monday in April. Then day broke and clouds parted to blue skies, alluding that times of trouble had passed. Yet, the reign of sadness puddled from the day before continued ... and will continue in Blacksburg.
Orange and maroon students speckled the town landscape as they walked in scattered masses to Cassell Coliseum. The scene resembled a sporting game day...
The candle light vigil
There was little time to prepare between the convocation and candle light vigil; however, students set forth with determination and perseverance. They gathered and labored at the German Club Manor--organizing boxes of candles and cutting slits in stacks of cups that would serve as wind resistance. James Tyger, senior management major, said they started planning for the Tuesday night vigil at 5 p.m. Monday. During the hours they had to prepare for the event, they had an overwhelming response in donations and volunteers...
National Cathedral offers prayers
Joining the hands reaching out from all over the world to Virginia Tech yesterday was Washington D.C.'s famous National Cathedral. The Washington National Cathedral is the sixth largest cathedral in the world and the second largest in the United States. It has no official denomination, and welcomes people of all faiths to share service and pray during its biweekly services. It has also been the site of many historical moments, including Dr. Martin Luther King's last Sunday sermon in 1968, as well as President George W. Bush's Inaugural Prayer Service in 2001...
Tuesday, April 17th 2007
Other school reactions
The events that occurred yesterday at Virginia Tech have not only shaken the students and residents of Blacksburg, but also college students across the country. In a time of crisis, fellow schools have provided support and shared in the panic that spread across the campus as the death toll rose. As President Steger answered questions in press conferences, other schools' authorities addressed their student bodies concerning the safety of their campuses. President John Casteen of the University of Virginia was on his way out of town when he heard the news from Blacksburg and turned around to Charlottesville to release...
A world on the edge of their seats
Possibly one of the only places on campus still buzzing with activity last night was Holtzman Alumni Center, inside the Inn at Virginia Tech, which had been designated as an impromptu media center. As international media descended upon our quiet town yesterday, a need for order regarding the many reporters, vans and cameramen arose that we never thought we'd need...
A Tar Heel experience
Between the four of us, three reporters and one photojournalist from The Daily Tar Heel, we had less than an hour to make the decision to travel to Blacksburg this morning. Jessica Schonberg, one of our senior writers, even forgot her driver's license...
Counseling centers available to facilitate grieving process
When tragedy strikes a community as large as Virginia Tech, its devastating effects can be far-reaching. Each and every member of the Virginia Tech community shares in some way the pain caused from the attacks Monday morning. In light of Monday's events, several counseling centers were made available to Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff who wish to speak with counselors about the events that unfolded on Monday...