A thread for DU's condolences and solidarity with the community at Virginia Tech

[Bucky]

A wish for consolation and peace to the people of Virginia Tech

I know we're arguing here about various issues concerning this morning's horrible tragedy at Virginia Tech. That's what a web discussion community does. Yet I know that all our arguments are rooted in a passion for justice and love of sacred human life. A lot of us at DU have fond memories of our college years; we regard it as an ideal and formative time in our lives. To think of this senseless tragedy falling on so many is heartbreaking. It seems so devastating on a whole college community--a place of fun, of ideals, of opening horizons and hopes for the future.

The dead today numbered future engineers, future homebuilders, future architects, future parents, future lovers--all talented kids who had so much to contribute to a world in need of their talents. All of them robbed of their future. Today's shootings hit us in our hopes. For me, a father of a college bound 17 year old just now going through the excitement and trepidation of exploring her college options, this pain taps a deep reservoir in me of fear for all the things that can go wrong when we send our best and brightest out into the world to chase their dreams.

I want to invite in this thread all DUers to send out their prayers, their hopes, their well wishes, and their condolences to the community at Virginia Tech. Words cannot capture your pain, but then no words can ever equal our love and solidarity with you. Most of us will never be able to imagine the depth of your loss. But we share a country, we share a world, and so we share a bond with you. Our hearts are yours, tonight.

May your lost loved ones be at peace and may you too find solace and peace in your time of loss.



Greg Rea
Houston TX

[Frustratedlady]

1. Strong thoughts and prayers to all who have been affected...

by this horrible event. My heart aches for each and every one of you.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[underseasurveyor]

3. Very thoughtful of you Greg

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/message.cfm?l=eng&cid=3152262

I lit a candle using your beautifully put sentiment.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. My sympathy to the families affected by this tragedy

[johnnie]

5. Very well said

What a tragedy. My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones today.

[Critters2]

6. Prayers for those who are mourning

for all who suffer losses

of friends, of family, of peers, of colleagues, of classmates

of a sense of security and peace,

of a quiet, ordinary Monday morning.

My deepest sympathy.

[GirlinContempt]

7. My thoughts are with them right now.

I can't express how sorry I am.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. If you believe in prayer this is the time to do it

if you don't, good wishes are still in order

[shadowknows69]

9. No words, just tears

and wishing a good journey to all departed souls.

[flyarm]

10. MY DEEPEST CONDOLENSES..TO THE PARENTS OF THE VICTIMS

..to the students of VT and the faculty of VT and the the community of Blacksburg.

from a former Hokie mom..my tears are with all at Virginia Tech...............

fly

[autorank]

11. I've been in Virginia for a while. Some words about VATech. K&R

Virginia Tech is not a "computer" school as CNN said. It's a major university, 26,000 or so, in
the southwestern corner of Virginia, near Roanoke.

It's a very good school, ranked 26th in public universities.

It takes about a 3.8 and 1300-1400 (old scale) on the SAT's. A big portion of the students are from Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, which had a grading system with 94-100 for an A and so forth down the scale (very demanding). It's about 4 hours away from DC. Kids love it because of the community and quality of the people. Very few complain, even a little.

The character of the surrounding area was expressed by the police response when they got to the building. There was no hesitation. They broke through the chained doors and were ready to engage.

Virginia Tech will recover from this incredibly random event. There is nothing at all in the culture of that school that would encourage this. It's a friendly place filled with great students and faculty.


http://www.vtnetletter.vt.edu/oct00/ratings.html
U.S. News & World Report now ranks Virginia Tech's undergraduate program as the 26th best among national public universities--up from 28th last year. Among the school's top showings were the College of Engineering, ranked 17th in the nation, and the Pamplin College of Business, which advanced eight spots to 38th best in the nation.

"This increase in our national rankings is a result of the hard work and dedication of our faculty and students," said Charles Steger, president. "Clearly, our alumni deserve a lot of the credit through their continued support for our efforts to improve the academic quality of the university."

The College of Engineering is ranked 17th, tied with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Texas A&M University, and the University of Minnesota. Eight of Virginia Tech's engineering departments were ranked in the top 25: aerospace engineering was ranked 13th; chemical engineering, 24th; civil engineering, 10th; computer engineering, 16th; electrical engineering, 16th; environmental engineering,14th; industrial engineering, 9th; and mechanical engineering, 14th.

The Pamplin College of Business is tied at 38th with Brigham Young University and Tulane University, and is ranked above William and Mary, which was rated as the 41st best business program in the nation.

[Bucky]

14. Thank you. Yes, VTech has an excellent reputation

I know they'll endure this dark moment. I'm just feeling a little robbed tonight.

[autorank]

17. It's such a shame. The interviews with students shows the quality of the place.

That one girl, with the shaved head, was actually in a classroom and survived by hitting the ground and "playing dead" as she said. What a horror. Thanks for running the thread!

[DeepModem Mom]

12. Thank you, Greg. My thoughts and prayers are with the Virginia Tech community tonight...

and especially with those who have lost loved ones.

[Blue_Tires]

13. k+r

[pitohui]

15. what a terrible loss, it will not be forgotten

i too light a candle for the loss of these students who had so much to contribute and their whole lives ahead of them and also to the instructor who now confirmed lost, who sounds like one of the good guys and who just wanted to teach and to ride his bike and bring light to the earth

this is just so unfair!

[WildEyedLiberal]

16. Beautiful thread

Though I wish like hell you'd never had to have started it.

What an awful tragedy. I sit in lecture halls every day and it never crosses my mind that some madman might burst in and decide to open fire. None of those students would have ever dreamed that their 9 am lecture would be the last thing they'd ever experience. Jesus, it's so sad.

[Hokie]

18. My emotions are raw right now

As you can imagine from my DU name I went to Va. Tech. I love the school and the area and I am sickened at what happened today. I was at a conference in Seattle when received a call from my wife early today when this was reported. My daughter graduated in Aerospace Engineering there last year and still has a lot of friends at Blacksburg. One was in the building next to Norris Hall and saw some of what was happening.

I will have more to say when I can digest this tragedy and what is says about our country, our worship of guns, and my hatred for the NRA and everything they for which they stand.

[hlthe2b]

19. Fellow alumna, here

I understand at least some of how you are feeling...It has been years since I've been back, but it really is true that VA Tech is probably the last major university I would have envisioned this happening. It is truly sickening.

[LeftishBrit]

20. All best thoughts to all affected by this terrible tragedy.

[FloridaJudy]

21. A prayer for all effected by this tragedy

May you all find healing. You are in our thoughts.

[The Minus World]

22. My thoughts are with the bereaved families

I am still attempting to wrap my mind around the horrors of what occurred today.

If any of the family or friends of those lost in today's tragedy see it fit to visit this troubled corner of the internet, I'd like to express to them my deepest sympathies.

Perhaps it would be better for them not to do so. A visit here would bring them to witness the minimization of their loss to a cold abstraction by those who see the world as little more than a struggle between opposing polemics.

[ClayZ]

23. Our candles are lit for the Virginia Tech community.

:cry:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you...

[Bucky]

24. I'm wondering if anyone has an address where it'd be appropriate to send a note of support

[Colobo]

25. It's hard to say anything

when such a horrible crime, a brutal injustice has been committed against 32 innocent people...

I hope those innocent souls can find whatever happiness exists in the afterlife, and that the families can find solace and strength to keep facing life... :(

[malta blue]

26. Thanks Greg - beautifully written

and captures the words that seem to escape me at this moment.

My thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific tragedy.

[DeepModem Mom]

27. Kicking.