Collegiate Times

Students returning to Virginia Tech this fall can expect extra effort from Blacksburg churches in settling back into college life.

When the tragic shootings occurred on April 16, Blacksburg churches were ready to console and promote strength for students and the community. When students return for fall semester, these efforts will be continued.

Alex Evans, pastor of Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, says an “adopt a
student" program will allow church members to take a special interest in one or more students. The host family will provide support and act as a family away from home.

"This fall, in light of the events of the spring, we are taking extra measures," Evans said. "If a student is a member of the church, or wants to be related to the church, they can come to us and we would assign them a family.”

"The depth of the relationship depends on what the student wants, it could be very casual, for example someone to help them with meals or laundry, or to sit with in church. On a deeper level, students may want someone to talk issues over with."

The Rev. Seth Terrell, campus minister for the Blacksburg Church of Christ, is also available for student needs, but thinks dwelling on the matter won’t help.

“Students will have a need indefinitely from now on,” he said. “I think when students return it will be a phase of healing and then moving on.”

The Church of Christ is organizing a speaker on depression and the loss of loved ones, heavily geared toward dealing with the events of April 16. The event will be on an October weekend, at the Blacksburg Church of Christ.

Terrell will also hold a “dream session” where students come together and discuss their goals for the year as part of the process of moving on in life.

Evans wants to reach out to the students, staff and local community affected.

"We are totally geared towards life at Tech, we want to establish more personal relationships with church members," he said.

Evans believes the events of April 16 have brought the community closer together.

 "There is a longing for community in Blacksburg, students have come back for a weekend just to be with their friends and to be a part of the community and church,” he said. “We’ve had more students in our church this summer then we have in the past 10 years."

Many students are open to discuss their feelings. “I think that with everything that has happened, students who may not have attended church in the past might be more inclined to go. Everyone needs a way to grieve,” said rising junior Alex Bright.

It’s not just the students who churches are thinking about. Evans says his church is focusing on everyone affected.

"There are faculty and staff who are struggling with life and trying to be good
professors, as well as trying to get on with their own lives," he said.

Blacksburg Presbyterian Church has already held meetings for Tech staff aimed at bringing people together to talk. The conversation dealt with grief and trauma in the aftermath of the shootings.

Most of the churches in Blacksburg will have extra support available for the entire community as fall semester draws nearer. The religious community will hold meetings in the coming weeks to decide on what activities and services will best serve people, especially returning students.

With the abrupt ending of the semester, there will be a settling-in period upon their return,
however Evans is ready for what lies ahead.

 "I think there will be a lot of anticipation, he said. “Students ready to get on with a new year, at the same time asking, 'How do we get on with a new year?'"