Hundreds of flickering candles lit up College Green last night as Ohio University students gathered to remember the victims of Monday's Virginia Tech massacre.
We may study on different campuses
we may teach on different campuses but tonight we are with those at VT said OU President Roderick McDavis. We're all about expressing ourselves as a single university community to another university community.
For one attendee, the deadliest shooting in U.S. history ' one that ended in 33 deaths, including that of shooter Cho Seung-Hui ' was closer than on a television screen.
Stephen Pearch, an Athens High School graduate, is a freshman business major at VT. Like most of his classmates, he is home until classes resume Monday.
Virginia Tech reminds me a lot of Athens
he said. The college just makes the town.
Pearch, who did not lose any friends Monday, was in class during the shootings and described the experience as surreal.
It's just somber right now on campus
he said. It was overwhelming and so is (the vigil).
Although Blacksburg, Va., where VT is located, is almost four hours from Athens, the distance was insignificant to junior Kari Meikle.
It just made me think twice that it could have happened here
she said.
Junior Aly McCandlish said she still feels safe on campus and was attending the vigil to pray for VT and to just let them know that we're here.
Students who approached the Office of the Dean of Students organized the vigil, along with notes to be sent to VT and the wearing of VT colors, said Patti McSteen, associate dean of students. The office bought 1,500 candles, none of which were left over at the end of the vigil, she said.
Throughout the vigil, groups sang This Little Light of Mine and Amazing Grace. Others cried, prayed and hugged strangers.
This is a very sad time and still it honors me to be a part of this reflection
said Student Senate President Morgan Allen. We are Bobcats G? and we are also Hokies.
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