Although the horror of 32 innocent students and professors on Monday at Virginia Tech was several hundred miles away, shock and sadness have gripped many at UB. In response to the tragedy, the university is planning a series of events as students and faculty members reflect on their own connections to the deadliest shooting rampage in American history.
The events struck especially close with Joseph Mook, chairman of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, who is still shocked by the events that struck his hometown, and his old office in Norris Hall where the shootings occurred.
Mook spent nine years at Virginia Tech and graduated from VT with a Ph.D. His father, a retired professor at Tech, has maintained his office in Norris Hall at VT and upon trying to enter the building yesterday was stopped by police.
Mook said that the situation with his father made the situation hit "closer to home."
"I was in complete disbelief, it feels much more personal because I recognize all the buildings and my father is a professor there," he said. "But this is not a normal thing to happen anywhere."
Mook has maintained ties with the Virginia Tech campus since leaving in 1985. Mook's parents own a house in Blacksburg, Virginia, the town parallel to the VT campus. He knew of two professors who fell victim to the massacre; one was fatally shot, one was wounded.
Many of the professor's good friends at VT are still overcome with emotion.
"Nobody knows what to say or do down there," Mook said. "Virginia Tech is a small isolated community."
Mook has received assistance from UB and believes that the tragedy can happen on any college campus.
"President Simpson has very kindly extended condolences," he said. "It's been 21 years since I have been at Virginia Tech, but it has been an integral part of my life."
On-Campus remembrance
In response to the tragedy on Monday, UB has planned on-campus for those mourning or seeking support and additional counselors are being made available in 120 Richmond Hall for students.
"The counseling center has freed up as much staff as possible and anyone affected can walk in and be seen right away," said Mary Clare Fahey, off campus services and relations coordinator for Student Life "There our so many students here like Virginia Tech, it has been hard to find direct connections. (Residence Advisors) are checking with their floors and every student found will be referred for counseling."
Student Life has planned a series of events, including a memorial service on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Theater, where college officials along with campus ministries will address students and remember the victims lost.
The Student Union windows are currently decorated with paintings of 33 candles to remember each victim that died in the shooting. The flag in front of the SU is also lowered to half-mast.
Students will also have a chance this week in the Student Union to pen their condolences. Students can write messages on the UB banner that will be mailed to VT on Monday.
Fahey believes that Student Life is equipped to handle situations like the one at Virginia Tech and was prepared yesterday even though the situation didn't occur at UB.
"You never expect a worst case scenario," Fahey said. "The whole division of Student Affairs constantly talks about what to do in case of an emergency. In any tragedy we have steps in place to take care of the situation and we are currently working on a text messaging system to alert are faculty."
Students in the SU on Tuesday were still dealing with the horrible act thousands of miles away in Virginia.
"It's horrific and unfortunate that something like this had to happen," said sophomore sociology major Elana Oppenheil. "Those students had their whole lives to live."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
