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Greetings from Virginia Tech.
Ok, this is not a Highty-Tighty Half Note, but it is in the same
format. I am sending it because I have been overwhelmed by e-mails
asking me for more pictures from the campus and for my thoughts
about what I have seen. This is the most practical way I know to
try to provide many of you with what you have asked for; photos
and reports from the campus that is coming to you from a Hokie rather
than from the media. Please also understand that I cannot personally
answer all of the e-mails, although I would like to do so.
It is very clear that so many who have received and responded to
the Highty-Tighty Half Notes are not particularly happy with the
media coverage. I can certainly say that there is some animosity
here on campus toward the media as well. One faculty member expressed
to me today considerable displeasure about the way in which the
media is trying to paint a certain picture of our campus and people,
reporting what they want the picture to be rather than what it truly
is. A prominent sign posted near the Newman library today read,
"VT stay strong, media stay away." While all that I have
seen would indicate that students are being cooperative with the
news media, the media is obviously becoming less and less welcome
with each passing day. Officials of the university must cooperate
and work with the media in the performance of their duties, but
the rest of the Hokie nation seems to be losing patience.
In several e-mails, I've even been asked to provide my insights
on the tragedy, but I will refrain from that. Certainly, I have
my views, but they are nothing more than simply what I think. What
is more important, the aspects of the events, such as why it happened,
who did wrong, who failed and how, are simply not being discussed
outside of the media here on campus, and I'd like to keep it out
of these e-mails as well. Clearly, the mood here is only one of
healing and coming together. As I spent a lot of time on the drillfield
today, the discussions again were only of togetherness, prevailing,
and being supportive. There will come a time to discuss and deal
with the other issues, but the Hokie nation, for now, is concentrating
on coming together. At one point today, I noticed the "why
it happened" aspect entering a conversation, and it was immediately
dismissed as not being appropriate. Not once have I ever heard the
shooter mentioned. Instead, talk is about the victims. I talked
to an acquaintance of mine who is an assistant dean, I talked to
alumni, I talked to students. In each case the focus was always
the same. The mood on campus is still very somber. There is no loud
talking, no laughing, and no boisterous behavior. I was in a restaurant
just off campus briefly, and it was very quiet in there as well.
The best way I can describe it is reverence. I'd like to maintain
that here as I let you know what it is like from my perspective.
The expressions of concern for one another is everywhere. While
on the drillfield today, a man walked up to us and offered bottled
water. Plenty was provided and on hand for everyone. I don't know
who had brought it there, but it was just one gesture that made
you feel good. I saw a T-shirt that hand "Half Price"
written on it. But the "Half Price" was crossed out, and
below it was written, "Free." Beneath that was, "Hugs,"
Free hugs were in abundance all over the campus.
The mood on campus reaches within you. As I have seen photos of
the killer on the news, I have felt rage and anger of a considerable
magnitude boiling within me. But when I walk on campus, the mood
there takes over, and there is no more anger, no more rage. The
feeling is entirely positive and uplifting. I cannot tell you that
everyone feels that way, but it is how I feel, and everyone else
I have talked to have expressed that they feel the same way.
In the news, I have seen some concern expressed about resentment
and anger being aimed toward Asian students. This is not the case
on campus. I told you in the Highty-Tighty Half Notes from last
night about the comfort offered to the Asian girl who was sobbing
at the candlelight vigil. There is a very large Asian community
here, and their presence is everywhere. I have seen nothing but
compassion for them. Today, there was a group of six of seven of
them sitting near the War Memorial Chapel, and others were among
the several hundred people on the drillfield. They were treated
like anyone else on campus, and I've not seen anything to indicate
any prejudice against them.
With classes cancelled for the remainder of the week, many students
have departed, and there are far less people around than there were
yesterday. It seems that many of those who were on campus when the
tragedy took place, those who work and live there, needed to get
away to take time to get in touch with their feelings and prepare
to move on when classes resume next week. Those of us who do not
live or work there seem to be drawn to the campus. Many who have
e-mailed me have expressed the desire to return to Tech right now
but cannot for a variety of reasons, and that is why they have asked
for more photos and reports. Anyone who has ever been a part of
Virginia Tech for any length of time knows how special this place
is, and it does remain in our hearts no matter how long it has been
since we sat in the classrooms as students. Although I can't get
all the photos that have been requested, I've been asked often to
include a photo of Norris Hall, and I have done that. So many have
said that they spent much of their time at Tech in that building,
and, if what took place Monday had taken place at a different time,
it could have been them in those classrooms instead.
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At the bugler's pulpit in front of Burruss Hall, there is a semi-circle
of thirty-two Hokie stones, one for each of the victims.
A close-up of one of the Hokie stones shows that each has a flower
and a small Virginia Tech pennant on it
There are numerous places around the drillfield where people
have written messages and expressions of their feelings. This
one is simply a 4 X 8 board mounted on two poles. Both sides of
it are covered with messages.
Near the pulpit, there are sixteen 4 X 8 boards in pairs that
are covered with messages. Eight are in this photo. I took a long
time looking at them. In only one place did I see where someone
had disgraced the messages by writing a political statement concerning
handgun control. How anyone could do that is beyond my comprehension.
I'd like to think that it will be painted out and replaced with
a message like all of the hundreds of others. Otherwise, they
were all messages of love, grief, compassion and healing, many
of which were written beautifully and eloquently
In addition to the large boards, there are smaller signs of various
types around campus. Here, people add their messages to those
of others. Inside the War Memorial Chapel is a large banner with
hundreds of messages and signatures sent to Tech by Radford University
Norris Hall is still a crime scene, and it is off limits to everyone
except law enforcement personnel. The shooting took place mostly
on the second floor in this part of the building. Norris Hall
will not be used for the remainder of this semester.
Black ribbons, some with orange and maroon ribbons tied with
them, are found on trees around the campus.
I can tell you that I have never been more Hokie
proud than I have been these last three days. So often, the greatness
and best within us comes out as never before when we are faced
with the most terrible events of our lives. I see that happening
here on campus.
Here are seven photos, some with more extensive
captions than usual. I hope they will relate to you what it is
like here, and provide you with a perspective and sights not seen
on the news that so many have asked for.
I sincerely hope this provides in some small way what so many
have been asking for. I selected the photos and have written this
to try to convey the mood and heart of Virginia Tech as it is
right now. But there is no way that written words and photos can
convey what it is like here. Only the experience of being here
can do that. I'd suggest you wear your Hokie colors through this
weekend and on Monday as Virginia Tech resumes classes and begins
to move on.
Bert Kinzey
VT '68
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