CT Features
Friday, April 27th 2007He said: Farewell
Well Blacksburg, it's been fun. Over the last academic year, Rachel and I have had the distinct opportunity of writing this column. Personally, it's all been in an effort to make sense of college life; and, for that matter, life in general. Hopefully, you've found a few bits of truth within the pockets of dirty laundry we've aired weekly--no charge.
As a writer, you never know exactly how your words will strike someone. Will they get the joke? Has anyone else ever felt that way? Is this good enough for network syndication?
She said: Farewell
Four years of hard work, four years of academic excellence, four years of fun and four years of greatness. If I could sum up my experience at Virginia Tech in one word, I'd call it amazing. I've grown as a person, gained tons of memories and made some really great friends.
After an entire year of reading Emerson and my tirades on controversial topics, I'd like to say thank you. Thank you for being a loyal reader and acknowledging our opinions. Through all of our rants and harangues, please know that everything we said was all in good fun...
Sudflood
Blacksburg is creeping to the edge of the three month hibernation period known as summer in a college town. The leaves are green, the flowers are bright, and Blacksburg is something students only vaguely remember from move-in in August, warm. The men of Pi Kappa Phi, though, ask for one more Saturday of college as they host their annual Sudflood event at TOTS.
This Saturday marks the 19th time Pi Kappa Phi has held the day long concert...
Planet Earth
Somewhere between elementary school and college, the Discovery Channel became slightly less nerdy--cool even?
Dull documentaries detailing the habitats and reproductive practices of squid seem to have faded into the distance, while clever, sometimes even humorous, shows have cropped up in the Discovery Channel's programming...
Thursday, April 26th 2007
Something different for Relay For Life
Last Friday night and Saturday morning at Relay for Life something amazing happened in Blacksburg, amidst absolute tragedy. Brandon Guichard, a junior finance and human resource management major ran 32 miles; One for each of the victims of 4/16. "We weren't sure whether or not (the relay) was going to be cancelled. A lot of people were out of town. I was already going to run with the German Club." Brandon was running simply to support the cause, "Thankfully no one I know has been directly affected by cancer..."
Tattoos serve as a tribute to the fallen
"I see the pain and the healing that I have to go through after getting this tattoo as what everyone has to go through," said junior Jessie Irwin. He has just gotten off the chair and his skin is still bleeding. He describes the pain of the finished tattoo as feeling like sunburn and an integral part of the experience. It took just an hour get and costs $140 but will last a lifetime.
This is the German major's third tattoo and is in remembrance of April 16. He chose to get a black tattoo because the ink won't fade as easily as color...
Wednesday, April 25th 2007
Summer concerts
The end of the academic year is in sight for us here at Virginia Tech, and although it is approaching faster than some of us would have liked, it marks a welcome break to a semester that saw more than its fair share of stress and aggravation. It also marks the beginning of the summer concert season, a period of time packed with events and activities that are the perfect remedy for a weary mind.
There are a number of different options available to concertgoers, each one catering to a myriad of musical genres and each one with their own benefits and quirks that make them what they are...
Local Virginia Tech product makes great music
The Potentials are one of those home grown bands you may have seen downtown. Virginia Tech's very own Ryan Wagner is the lead guitarist for The Potentials. Juggling a career in music and aerospace engineering is nothing short of, well, ridiculous. What would you say if D'angelo Hall was about to get a degree in our engineering department?
Wagner's band, The Potentials, is a throwback to the good old days of rock 'n roll...
Tuesday, April 24th 2007
Hokies affect all ages
The message that has been put in effect is, "We Are All Hokies".
In the Maryland and Washington D.C. area schools, the message has been clear and supported.
While those on the college level have been able to understand the tragedy in its entirety, those younger in age have been trying to comprehend it. Ritchie Park Elementary School, in Potomac, MD, was one among the many elementary schools that honored Virginia Tech...
Jamey Turner's glass harp
As Hokies made their way back on to campus yesterday, for the first time in what feels like forever, many wondered how these last few weeks would play out before summer finally arrives. For those passing through Squires Student Center, it was business as usual. Well, except for the sound of a glass harp echoing within the cavernous main atrium...
Friday, April 20th 2007
A nation of maroon and orange
As the week draws to a close and students unite with friends and families, the nation will don the colors that flow through Virginia Tech: maroon and orange.
Under an image of Burruss Hall, the promotional flyer for the event says, "We invite everyone from all over the country to be a part of the Virginia Tech family this Friday, to wear orange and maroon to support the families of those who were lost, and to support the school and community we all love so much."
Searching "Hokie Hope" or "Maroon and Orange Day" on Facebook leads to groups with more than 5,000 members nationwide...
Day of mourning
It's a symbol that stands for many beliefs and unifies a nation. Often, its profound imprint may be taken for granted when pasted on bumper stickers, pizza boxes and cheaply made T-shirts. The stars and stripes are omnipresent reminders of history, quietly whispering among a backdrop of white noise in a busy nation. However, at the height of an event, such as the one that took place at Virginia Tech, this symbol has the most voice and impact when it is lowered--meaning one thing, mourning.
Perhaps this is why the President of the United States ordered the nation's flag to remain at half-staff until this Sunday's sunset, to let Virginia Tech know the country stands beside them in this difficult time...
Thursday, April 19th 2007
Encouraging 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...