more on page five An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Friday, April 15, 2011
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COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 47 News, page 2
People & Clubs, page 4
Opinions, page 3
April 16, page 5
Classifieds, page 4
Survivor makes peace BY MIA PERRY | features reporter
N
estled in a recording studio, Kevin Sterne sits back amid the hundreds of CDs and records that line the walls, his silver flecked hair catching the dim light. He is taking a break from reviewing an Americana album, which is just one of the varied projects he does while working at Virginia Tech’s radio station, WUVT. Sterne, donning a horseshoe mustache and beard, is quiet and laid back. He seems at home sitting in front of a soundboard, as peppy jazz music softly plays in the background. Wearing his Tech engineering T-shirt, Stern could pass as any other Tech undergraduate student.
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I wanted to let them know that I was all right and that things would be fine and life would go on eventually. KEVIN STERNE APRIL 16 SURVIVOR
But Sterne has long since graduated from Tech, earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and communication in 2007. More recently, he earned his graduate and master’s degrees. However, Sterne’s graduation in 2007 was not the expected happy occasion. Not only did it fall weeks after the April 16 tragedy, but it was also during a time of personal recovery and grieving. Sterne was victim of the April 16 shootings. Seung-Hui Cho shot Sterne twice that day in his German classroom. Sterne’s professor, James Bishop, and four of his classmates were killed. Sterne said that day began like any other. He left his apartment and walked to Norris Hall for class.
Sudoku, page 4
FBI agent joins VTPD CLAIRE SANDERSON news reporter
“The only weird thing was that it was snowing and below freezing in April,” Sterne said. The events that unfolded shortly after left Sterne and his fellow classmates in “utter shock.” Amid the chaos, Sterne eventually realized one of his leg wounds was bleeding profusely. He made a makeshift tourniquet to help stop the blood. Using one hand to cover the wound and the other to make a compression bandage out of a projector cord, Sterne perhaps saved himself by using basic knowledge he had gained in Eagle Scouts. Looking back, Sterne is able to laugh at his “feeble” tourniquet, that he says was, “just a simple knot.” Regardless, Sterne is still admired for his quick thinking that day. In the days following the terrible events, Sterne tried to concentrate on the immediate future. “For me, it was sort of like, ‘What do I have to do next in order to make this not impact me so big to return to normalcy?’” Sterne said. Part of returning to normalcy, Sterne said, was reconnecting with people. “I had so many friends flying in from places like New York and Tennessee,” he said. Sterne also distracted himself by trying to support and comfort those who cared for him and were worry-stricken. “I wanted to let them know that I was all right and that things would be fine,” Sterne said, “and life would go on eventually.” The shootings do not define Sterne or how he lives his life. At this point in his life, he does not dwell on that day. But Sterne remains familiar with his fellow surviving classmates. He listed them off: Sean, Lily, Kate, Trey, Erin. see SURVIVOR / page five DANIEL LIN / SPPS
Kevin Sterne, an April 16 victim who was shot twice in the leg, reflects on his life after the tragedy.
The way the Virginia Tech community united in the face of tragedy four years ago has inspired one man to take on the job of preventing another event like the April 16, 2007, campus shootings. That man is FBI agent Kevin Foust, who is retiring from his current job tomorrow to join the Virginia Tech Police Department. “The way in which they reacted to what was an absolutely horrible, horrific crime was very touching and extremely impressive to me,” Foust said. “And so that was when I kind of made up my mind when it was time for me FOUST to retire from the FBI, this was the place that I wanted to work.” In his new position as Tech’s deputy chief of police and assistant director of security, Foust’s main duties will include overseeing security at Tech’s campuses across the state and across the world. Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said once Foust joins the force on May 2 he will bring a wealth of experience to the campus. Foust has worked with the FBI for 25 years, during which he led international investigations into terrorist attacks on the U.S. overseas. When the attacks occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, Foust was part of a unit already investigating Osama Bin Laden and continued to do so for two years after the attacks. In 2003, Foust transferred to the Roanoke regional FBI office to spend more time with his see AGENT / page five
Student responds Women defeat Tech Signs of mental illness to false filing charge in equal pay lawsuit noted before stabbing LINDSEY BROOKBANK features editor Alexandra Edinger blames alcohol for the blurry memory she holds of filing a sexual assault claim, which Virginia Tech Police later deemed false. Edinger, a junior mechanical engineering student, told police she was sexually assaulted at the Wiz Khalifa concert on April 3 in Burruss Hall. An April 6 crime report said after investigation, Tech Police determined the claim was false, and the assault did not occur. Edinger said she revoked her statement the day after the concert because she couldn’t remember the story she told police officers, since she was intoxicated at the time. “In my mind, you can’t lie to the police,” Edinger said. “Because I couldn’t remember the details.” Initially cuffed on the scene for public intoxication, Edinger was a charged Friday with falsely summoning or giving false reports to law enforcement officials, a class one misdemeanor. Virginians charged with this offense face up to 12 months in jail and up to a $2,500 fine. Edinger said she didn’t lie to police officers, but the event is hazy because she was under the influence of alcohol. She would not speak on the record about whether she was actually sexu-
ally assaulted. Gene Deisinger, deputy chief of Tech Police, said he wasn’t present during Edinger’s arrest but is aware of its context. Deisinger said he wasn’t at liberty to discuss her intoxication level or behavior at the concert. According to the April 6 crime report, police officers initially approached Edinger at the concert for her “apparent state of intoxication.” She said police officers approached her at the concert while she was speaking with ticket office personnel. She said she was having an issue with her ticket and seat number. Edinger said police officers were already standing near her and the ticket personnel when they asked her if she had been drinking. Edinger said she told them she had been drinking, but was 21. “That is the point when they didn’t ask me anything else,” Edinger said. “(They) just started cuffing me.” The April 6 report said as police officers were removing the alleged victim from the scene, she told them she had been sexually assaulted. Edinger confirmed this statement. Edinger said police officers later informed her they could prove that an assault didn’t occur because of scarce evidence. But Edinger said she wasn’t aware she could be charged with filing a false sexual assault claim. see ASSAULT / page four
LINDSEY BROOKBANK features editor A jury voted in favor of two women who sued Virginia Tech for paying them less than their male counterparts. Thursday’s ruling in Roanoke’s U.S. District Court awarded Shana Maron — formerly known as Shana Kennedy before a divorce — and Greta Hanes $25,000 and $15,000 in back pay, respectively, under the Equal Pay Act. These amounts could be doubled if Tech fails to prove it acted in good faith when determining the women’s salaries. A date for that hearing has not been set. Maron was also awarded $61,000, which is roughly one years pay, because she proved Tech retaliated against her when she complained about a pay disparity. Erin Hofberg’s claim based on the EPA was time barred. Nicholas Woodfield, lead attorney for the Maron case, said after the jury heard the evidence, it found that Tech couldn’t demonstrate that gender wasn’t a factor when determining the plaintiffs’ salaries. Mark Owczarski, director of university relations, said Tech finds the ruling disappointing and unfortunate.
“It is our principle and practice to treat all employees with respect within a supportive environment,” Owczarski said. Owczarski also said the university has not decided whether it will appeal the verdict. According to the case files, Maron was hired as an assistant director of university development in March 2006. She later worked in the same position for development in engineering. Her annual salary was $49,000. When Maron applied for a regional director position in 2007, she told Robert Bailey, the senior director of regional gifts for university development she expected a $68,500 annual salary. Field Glover, the male who last held the position, started at that amount. The case files said Bailey offered Maron a $48,000 annual salary, and told her she was not worth the same as Glover because she was a woman. Hanes was regional director of major gifts from October 2006 to April 2008. Her annual salary was $53,500. According to the files, the plaintiff’s male counterparts, Justin Mosby, Benjamin Grove, James Grove and Christopher Lawson, were paid $55,000, $61,000, $63,000 and $67,000 annual salaries upon hire, respectively.
GORDON BLOCK associate news editor The father of a student arrested for assaulting several police officers after stabbing himself on the Drillfield Wednesday described him as a good kid who needs some help. Alexander Huppert, a freshman university studies major, was charged with three felony counts of assaulting an officer, as well as charges of resisting arrest and destruction of property. Huppert drew police attention early Wednesday afternoon after he HUPPERT demanded students at a table on the Drillfield stab him with a pen in the hand during a religious discussion event. Taken into custody after a struggle with an officer and onlookers, Huppert later attacked several other officers and broke a window out of a police car. Michael Huppert, Alexander Huppert’s father, said he had made the decision to bring his son home Wednesday morning with the help of a counselor from Virginia Tech’s Cook Counseling Center. “We tried to call him, but all of the sudden his phone was off,” Michael
Huppert said. After calling around to several campus offices without any luck, he received a call from Tech Police. “I was initially relieved because they knew where he was, but then we found out he was in jail,” Michael Huppert said. Michael Huppert said his son had never been in trouble. “He’s always been very shy and insecure,” he said. He said that his son was doing well in classes, but admitted struggling with anxiety. He said Alexander Huppert had started to seek counseling at Cook Counseling Center. “He was excited about it, that he was really addressing the problem,” Michael Huppert said. He said Alexander Huppert had recently transitioned to group counseling sessions after struggling to make progress with one-on-one sessions, and added his son went to a group counseling session on the day of his arrest. Michael Huppert said his son told him he was taking the antidepressant Paxil. “We had understood it was a prescription, but that may not have been true,” Michael Huppert said, speculating that his son may have bought it online instead of receiving it from a licensed prescriber. “That’s always the kind of thing you see HUPPERT / page four
MARK UMANSKY / SPPS
April 16 Four years later
2 news
news editors: philipp kotlaba, liana bayne, gordon block newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
april 15, 2011
COLLEGIATETIMES
virginia
what you’re saying //comments from online readers... Anonymous>> Religion can be beneficial and supportive if not abused. Unfortunately this is a sign of religious abuse, this man could not have had a well-rounded religious understanding. It is possible for religion to play a positive role in anyone’s life (anyone that wants to), however it is scary how influential the wrong institutions can be on an individual
Nicole Schrand>> I believe the intention here was a sort of argument through emotion or extreme devotion, showing that his devotion to his god was so complete that he would do anything to demonstrate it, though I have no idea at what point assaulting the police officers started looking like a good response. All-in-all, it was completely disturbing. I do hope that he gets the help he need; he did seem quite disturbed, though I will not hesitate to note that my opinion is just that, and is no where near that of a licensed psychologist.
Club>> Lets see if VT administration is smart enough to take necessary steps including expulsion, if this student is deemed a danger to himself and others, or if they will leave him alone and wait for another 4/16.
Anon>> Most likely he’ll be expelled since he assaulted police officers and busted a window and now has a criminal record but if he isn’t then the least that will happen is that he’ll be suspended and need to go to therapy for a semester and won’t be able to return until a therapist provides a letter saying he’s safe to come back.
crime blotter
UVa urged to protect research records RICHMOND -- A coalition of advocacy groups has asked the University of Virginia to shield some climate change research papers sought under an open records request to the school earlier this year. That appeal comes in an April 14 letter that urges university officials to balance “the interests in public disclosure against the public interest in academic freedom” in weighing the
record request from the American Tradition Institute and others. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, the Union of Concerned scientists and the American Association of University Professors are among the interest that jointly issued the letter. Those groups previously characterized Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s demand for similar
records from U.Va. an assault on academic freedom. Cuccinelli last year issued an order to the university seeking materials linked to the grant-funded research of former school professor Michael Mann, a scientist whose climate change conclusions have been alternately lauded and denounced. -staff, mcclatchy newspapers
nation Google profits up less than expected SAN FRANCISCO — Google Inc. reported a 17 percent gain in quarterly profit compared with the period a year ago Thursday, even as operating expenses rose, thanks to improving demand for the company’s online advertising. Mountain View, Calif.-based Google said its first-quarter net income rose to $2.3 billion, or $7.04 a share, from $1.96 billion or $6.06 a share in the same period a year
c-
earlier. Net revenue for the period ended March 31 rose to $6.5 billion, Google said. Excluding one-time items, earnings for the period were $8.08 a share. Analysts polled by FactSet Research had expected first-quarter earnings excluding items of $8.11 a share and $6.3 billion in net revenue. Operating expenses rose to $2.84 billion in the quarter, from $1.84 billion in the period a year earlier.
“The big picture is that revenue growth was off-the-charts good,” said James Tierney, chief investment officer at W. P. Stewart, which holds Google shares. Tierney acknowledged that what many investors might not like, “on a short-term basis,” is that “the company is spending meaningfully,” though that spending is “aimed at keeping revenue growth strong.” -staff, mcclatchy newspapers
1 3 2 1 6 5 4 0 6 5 6 4 6 5 5 1 4
V I O L A T I O N - A F F I D A V I T
date reported
time
offense
location
status
arrestees
4/12/2011
9:30 p.m. - 9:40 p.m.
Vandalism to an elevator Light
Lee Hall
Inactive
N/A
4/13/2011
5 p.m.
Vandalism to a vending machine
Cassell Coliseum
Inactive
N/A
4/13/2011
1:19 p.m.
Assault and Battery / Destruction of Property / Resisting Arrest
Drillfield
Cleared by Arrest
4/13/2011
8 a.m. - 3:40 p.m.
Larceny of chemicals from a building
Hahn Hall
Active
N/A
4/13/2011
3:30 p.m.
Harassment
Harper Hall
Active
N/A
4/13/2011
8:15 p.m.
Vandalism to the building (graffiti)
Visual Arts Building
Active
N/A
13216540656465514
On the student who stabbed himself on the Drillfield:
opınıons 3
editors: scott masselli, gabi seltzer opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
april 15, 2011
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Our Views [staff editorial]
Librescu’s memory deserves dedication No
matter how many times we retell his story, there is always something truly humbling about Professor Liviu Librescu. While we as students, researchers and administrators face tough challenges every day, the mere mention of Librescu’s name is enough to leave mouths half-open as we instantly forget our daily pressures in light of those the late professor faced. Honored by the Virginia Tech community and the national public, Librescu was once a Jewish child in Romania during the Holocaust and later earned his Ph.D. under the communist regime in his homeland, publishing in foreign journals in secret — as such academic freedoms were barred by the government. Finally, the brilliant researcher and his wife escaped the eastern European country for Israel, then left in 1985 for Tech, where Librescu had taken a position in the department of engineering science and mechanics. And there is no question that Librescu was brilliant. His extensive list of published papers, awards and lectures, as well as the respect he earned from his peers, showcased his merits as a scientist and teacher. But for all Librescu’s academic acumen, his legacy is of determination and courage. Not only did Librescu gain respect in a highly challenging field, but he did so under the most difficult of circumstances. Our own struggles to make time for friends and family are important, but they pale against the professor’s struggle to achieve under the rule of a totalitarian regime. This is what determination looks like. It still was not enough for
Librescu though. He had the courage to subvert the government and share his work with the academic community. No history lesson is needed to imagine the possible punishments for undermining the state. Librescu’s actions supported the highest academic value, one that we all would do well to remember: The free flow of knowledge and information. We should also remember Librescu for his bravery on April 16, 2007, for sacrificing his life to barricade the door, giving his students time to escape the classroom. Unfortunately, 32 people died on that somber morning, but had it not been for Librescu, that toll would have been much higher and the suffering even greater. When we light our candles Saturday night, Librescu will rightly be honored and mourned. There is more that we can do, though. New Residence Hall East and New Hall West have each been open a few years now, though neither has been given a dedication. The solution should be obvious: Affix his name to a residence hall. It would be a fitting way to honor someone whose life was so dedicated to the values of scholarship and who personally cared so deeply for students as to offer his life to save them. In a way, Librescu’s memory should not only humble us — it should inspire us. In all his 76 years, he epitomized Tech: scholarship, dedication, courage and sacrifice. Just as we see these values each time we see the pylons, maybe one day we will be reminded of them by gazing upon Librescu Hall. -the editorial board is composed of peter velz, gabi seltzer, scott masselli
Memory of April 16 beginning to fade walking through Squires one day this week and heard a rather interestIingwas conversation. Two guys were talking, and one asked the other if he was going downtown on Friday night. He replied that he wasn’t because he was going to the 3.2 Run in Remembrance on Saturday morning. Then the first guy told him he was lame for getting up that early on a Saturday. The initial shock over what I heard was overwhelming. I know some people consider college to be just one big party (I’m happy to say I don’t fit in that category), but before this, I had never heard any of the April 16 remembrance events called “lame.” For that matter, I haven’t heard them being called any type of negative name. After a few seconds, I was able to gather my thoughts, preventing myself from vomiting, in order to go on with my day. That may be a little extreme, but I was disgusted to say the least. I’m starting to see a trend on this campus. This time of year is a time for Virginia Tech students to post a picture of a ribbon with the VT symbol on it as their profile pictures, post a little status that says “never forget” and then call it a day. This doesn’t define everyone on this campus by any means, and to those of you who take April 16 more seriously, my hat goes off to you. I know that next year Tech will return to holding classes on April 16. I have to say, I strongly disagree with this. I do think that returning to having classes on that day needs to happen eventually, but I think the fifth anniversary is just too soon.
Think about it. We all still remember exactly where we were when we heard the news about what was going on here at Tech. We all remember how the event dominated national news for days. And we all remember how this university shocked the world with how strong the Hokie community was, and how triumphantly it overcame such a horrible and unprecedented tragedy. I admit that I often overlook many of our country’s tragedies that happened decades ago and are still remembered today, but I don’t see how it is so easy to overlook an event of this magnitude that happened only four years ago. I’m not saying you have to participate in all the activities that go on around campus each year on this day. I’m just saying that the respect for the lives lost and sense of community that we Hokies create is fading away. We should all be fighting to stop that from happening. We are all Hokies and proud of it too. Each year on April 16, everyone across America is a Hokie. I encourage all of my fellow students to not take this day for granted. Do not use it as a tool to brag about your school, but be humbled by having the opportunity to be a part of the Hokie community. Finally, don’t shed negative connotation onto any remembrance event in any way. These events aren’t lame and should be treasured in the hearts of all Hokies.
MATTHEW HURT -regular columnist -sophomore -political science minor
Library display personally honors memory of victims classmates, friends and family chose one book to represent If your life, which would it be? Which book encapsulates what you love doing or what consumes your free time? What do people think you are passionate about? Where are your priorities? Over the past few days I have pondered these very questions — recent events put them at the forefront of my mind. It all started the first week of March when a man from my church died of cancer, at the young age of 35. Shortly before this man died, our pastor had to scramble to find workers to replace him — he was the preacher of the children’s church, he headed a ministry for one of the nursing homes and he handled the church’s finances. His family is from this area, and he was well liked by many in the community. During his funeral, our small church was literally bursting at the seams because so many people stopped by to pay their respects. While listening to conversations and testimonies, two common themes persisted that could best summarize his life: “He was one of the best Christians I knew,” and “He had a love for children.” This ordeal made me realize that when I move away from Blacksburg this May, my pastor will not have to find a replacement for me. Needless to say I was very conflicted over the matter. I also began to wonder what people would say at my funeral, what comments they would leave on my online obituary and what phrases or words people who knew me would utter when describing my life. The next set of events that got me thinking happened a week later — over spring break. The first was when I found out one of my favorite professors became very ill and he could have died. This was a shock because I saw him two weeks prior, and he
looked very healthy. The second was the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan on March 11. As I followed events on Asian websites, I remember thinking how vulnerable our lives are — whether you live in a small Virginian mountain town or a Japanese coastal village, any of us could die at any moment. With these events sitting on the backburner of my mind, this past weekend I stumbled across the new April 16 display in the Newman Library. The display is located in the learning commons on the second floor and can be viewed until April 18. According to the We Remember website, “The display highlights the academic achievements and interests of the 32 victims of the April 16, 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech and their shared legacy which will be cherished and celebrated for years to come.” This year’s display is a photograph and description of each victim, along with books that represent their academic interests. While reading about their academic interests, I was reminded of the display I saw two or three years ago in which a book represented their life interests — things they loved or were passionate about. I remembered there being three books about God or religion, four or five books about sports, a handful of books about nature and a book on video games. Lost in my thoughts, I began to wonder which book would best represent my life. Wanting to know more, I asked the staff responsible for the display how books were chosen for the display I saw a few years back. I was told that they may have been based around the victims’ biographies, which are hosted on Tech’s We Remember website. I had never heard of this website so I immediately jumped on my laptop and began to read about each victim.
If you have never been to the website, it is definitely worth looking at. It took me an hour or so to read the profiles for all the victims. Each profile has a nice photograph of the victim, information about where each person was from and his or her academic history and major(s), hobbies and passions. I learned that a few of the victims loved animals, many loved friends and more loved their families. Some of them were passionate about music, movies or theater, another politics and many of them loved sports or professional sports teams. A good amount cared a great deal about nature and the environment, and nearly a dozen profiles referenced faith and religion, with four stating that God or Jesus Christ was very important in their lives. After reading the profiles of the 32 victims and thinking back to last month’s funeral, the tsunami and the scare with my professor, I was reminded of how precious our testimony is. The people around us notice what is important to us, what we consume our time with, what we love and what we are passionate about. What book do you want to represent your life? If you died today, would your classmates, friends and family choose that book to represent you? If the answer is no, perhaps it is time to reorder your priorities. After all, whether it is a sickly death in a hospital bed, a 30-foot tidal wave crashing down upon us, or an unfortunate incident in a classroom, any of us could die at any given moment.
CHRIS DUNN -regular columnist -senior -political science major
Understanding, embracing April 16 as a community or most of the world, Saturday, April 16, will be an ordinary day F — except for Virginia Tech, as the campus and Blacksburg community will gather for the fourth anniversary of the tragic events of April 16, 2007. It will be a time for the families and friends of those killed that day and those who were injured or effected to mark the occasion here on campus or wherever they may be located. The memories and spirit of those who were lost still permeate the campus in different ways. As the community gathers together, it will echo the images of what takes place in other communities that have been affected by violence, such as Columbine, Oklahoma City and Laramie. Rather than shy away from the events, these communities have found ways to embrace the events and have moved forward. It has not been an easy process because of the pain and anger that was inflicted on those communities and the respective families. As I reflect on the meaning of April 16 in our community, I wonder if we have truly embraced it or if it has merely become a burden or nuisance. While we have a scripted schedule of events, does this mean that we embrace it? How do we educate our community about April 16? Do we ever get updates about what happened to the families? What happened to the direct survivors that graduated? Is talking about April 16 really such a taboo subject within our community? In the immediate aftermath of April 16, it was the collective strength as a community that helped make a difference. We truly embraced each other, as seen in the pride and showing at the convocation, the efforts of the students from Hokies United that set up the first stone markers and the candlelight vigil on April 17. It was this unity and how we embraced each other that helped
make a difference in those times. While the community came together, there were also challenges. These challenges started to become apparent as the institution struggled to work with the families of the victims and the survivors, as well as the start of the investigations. These challenges are still apparent today, four years later. I believe that some of these challenges linger because of the fear of embracing April 16. We can’t be afraid to embrace April 16 and its impact. I believe that by truly embracing it, we acknowledge and honor the memory of those whose lives were lost that day and honor those who were effected (like the community that remains here). It is true that as time passes, the immediate impact will be diminished, but we cannot allow the events of this day be forgotten. For example, as each new freshman class enrolls, their direct connection to April 16 is diminished. While this is inevitable, I believe that we can ensure that we educate each new group about the impact of this event and those who were lost. Just as we teach new students such traditions as the Hokey Pokey or about the importance of the Principles of Community, why not educate students about April 16? Unfortunately, I believe that the current climate is preventing a true embrace of April 16. I understand that many will point to the impending lawsuit. Regardless of the lawsuits, as an institution and as a community, we can’t wait until the litigation is over. A lawsuit does not diminish the importance of embracing this event and coming together as a community to talk about it in an open and honest manner. It seems to me that every time an excuse is given, we ourselves are rewarding shooter Seung Hui Cho for his senseless action in silencing the lives of 32 individuals. His actions continue to haunt us, as well as taunt
us because of the division it has created. Embracing April 16 and asking questions about that day is not about bashing or insulting the institution. Tech is a special place for all of us in different ways. Embracing allows us to be sincere in helping move forward. While some examples of embracing have been undertaken on campus, such as the Teach for Madame, Teach for Jamie, as well as other efforts, what else can be done or should be done? We also recognize that many of the survivors, as well as families, have started their own efforts to help educate others about areas such as gun rights, campus safety and the importance of mental records. This shows that as individuals, each of us can find different ways to embrace April 16 and its impact. For some, the events of that day have provided a new sense of meaning and purpose. If we truly move toward embracing April 16 and its impact, then we will need to take a step back and rethink the strategies for the annual remembrance as well as other activities. Engaging in remembrance activities is not defining the institution but rather enhancing the institution’s efforts to help move forward. If the institution is not willing to embrace April 16, then it will be members of the community that will need to provide the framework for this remembrance in order for the legacy and meaning to not be lost. It is time to set aside the challenges and fears in order to embrace together, as an institution, the community and the families of the victims.
RAY PLAZA -regular columnist -graduate student
Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Peter Velz Managing Editors: Zach Crizer, Katie Biondo, Josh Son Public Editor: Justin Graves Senior News Editor: Philipp Kotlaba Associate News Editors: Liana Bayne, Gordon Block News Reporters: Claire Sanderson, Jay Speidell, Michelle Sutherland, Sarah Watson News Staff Writers: Erin Chapman, Meighan Dober Features Editors: Lindsey Brookbank, Kim Walter Features Reporters: Chelsea Gunter, Mia Perry Features Staff Writers: Andrew Reilly, Nick Smirniotopoulos Opinions Editors: Scott Masselli, Gabi Seltzer Sports Editors: Michael Bealey, Garrett Ripa Sports Reporters: Nick Cafferky, Matt Jones, Courtney Lofgren, Josh Parcell Sports Staff Writers: Alyssa Bedrosian, Alex Koma, Ashleigh Lanza, Zach Mariner Special Sections Editor: Bethany Buchanan Public Information Director: Dishu Maheshwari Training Director: Kelsey Heiter Copy Editors: Taylor Chakurda, Thandiwe Ogbonna, Spenser Snarr, Brittany Kelly, Debra Houchins Layout Designers: Danielle Buynak, Victoria Zigadlo, Wei Hann, Maya Shah Online Director: Jamie Chung Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: David Harries Distribution Assistant: Ryan Francis Student Publications Photo Staff Director of Photography: Sara Mitchell Business Manager: Luke Mason Lab Manager: Mark Umansky College Media Solutions Ad Director: Nik Bando Asst Ad Director: Brandon Collins Account Executives: Emily Africa, Matt Freedman, Connor Geiran, Mario Gazzola Inside Sales Manager: Wade Stephenson Assistant Inside Sales Manager: Diane Revalski Assistant Account Executives: Maddie Abram, Katie Berkel, Kaelynn Kurtz, Erin Shuba Creative Director: Chloé Skibba Asst Production Manager: Casey Stoneman Creative Services Staff: Tim Austin, Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, VA, 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com All letters to the editor must include a name and daytime phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). All letters should be in MS Word (.doc) format, if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor-in-chief and the managing editors. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Have a news tip? Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Student Media Phone Numbers Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no direct funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com. Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. Subscription rates: $65 semester; $110 fall/spring. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2011. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.
april 15, 2011
page 4
Assault: Woman regrets not reading legal form from page one
The alleged assault, according to an April 4 crime report, occurred between 9 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., in the women’s restroom located outside the auditorium on the northeast side of the second floor of Burruss Hall. The April 4 report also said the suspect was described as a six-foot-tall, clean-shaven, college-aged white male with dark hair, wearing a black polotype shirt and blue jeans. Edinger would not speak on the record about the remainder of the night. The day after the concert, Edinger said she couldn’t recall the story she told police. To avoid providing Tech Police with false information, Edinger said she signed a form, which stated her claim was false and the assault didn’t occur. But Edinger said she didn’t read the form before signing it. She said she
thought her signature meant she was making her claim go away, telling Tech Police to forget about it. “I thought that was the end of it,” Edinger said. Edinger later received a call from Tech Police informing her she was charged with filing a false sexual assault claim. Edinger admitted that not reading the form before signing it was a mistake. “I have nothing against the police,” Edinger said. “I should’ve realized what I was signing.” Her court date has not been set. She said she has researched lawyers and spoken with Tech’s Student Legal Services. Edinger called the situation a learning experience, and she now knows to read legal documents before signing them. Edinger said she is making the best of the situation. “(I want to) make sure the charges are dropped once I go to court,” she said.
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Huppert: Named hero for life-saving action “He would have preferred that nobody known about it,” Michael Huppert said. Deborah Campbell, who was the office’s public support director at the time, said Alexander Huppert was the only recipient of the award in her six years at the office. “For this chapter, it is pretty rare,” Campbell said. Alexander Huppert was also named the 2009 Gainesville Hero of the Year. John Stirrup, the Gainesville supervisor who presented the award, said Alexander Huppert acted in a “very calm, stabilizing manner.” “He took a situation that was very tenuous at best, and brought it to a very happy ending,” Stirrup said. Stirrup said he had known the Huppert family for more than eight years. He described his interactions with Alexander Huppert as “always very positive.” “He’s a great kid,” Stirrup said. Alexander Huppert’s younger sister Allie Huppert, who is a junior at Battlefield High School, described her brother as a “genius.” “He’s incredibly smart with every-
from page one
worry about when you send your kid to college,” he said. “You’re not there to monitor them most of the time.” Wednesday’s incident took place at a booth run for a local version of “Ask an Atheist Day,” sponsored by Freethinkers at Tech. Michael Huppert said religion wasn’t something his son regularly talked about. “I would describe him as Christian, and as a believer, but definietely not a fanatic,” Michael Huppert said. The outburst is a stark contrast to previous commendations Alexander Huppert received. Alexander Huppert won several awards in 2009 after saving the life of young boy, his neighbor, who suffered respiratory arrest. According to a report from insidenova.com, Alexander Huppert, then 17 years old, performed life saving CPR until fire and rescue personnel could respond. For his actions, he was presented a Red Cross “Extraordinary Action” award by the local office. Michael Huppert said his son was hesitant to pick up the award.
thing,” she said. “I’ve been having problems in school, and he’s helped me with everything.” Alexander Huppert was a member of Battlefield High School’s robotics club. He also participated on the school’s wrestling, football and swimming teams. “He wasn’t outgoing, but he participated in a lot of things,” Michael Huppert said. Michael Huppert added that he had received several calls from family friends offering support. “It reaffirms your faith in human beings,” Michael Huppert said. Michael Huppert said his attorney had arranged for his son to be transferred to a different correctional facility, but was attempting to determine the location. He said he knew his son had been transferred from the Montgomery County Jail, where he was held without bond yesterday, but was not sure where Alexander Huppert had been transferred to. Michael Huppert said he hasn’t been given access to his son, but that he had been thinking about how he would talk to him about the incident. He antici-
pated he would be able to talk to his son either Saturday or Sunday. “He’s still struggling from what I’ve been told,” Michael Huppert said. “Sometimes he has good moments, sometimes he has very bad moments.” Michael Huppert said his son was in a situation where he needs mental health help. “We hope to get him into a facility where he can get that help rather than have him rot in a jail cell,” Michael Huppert said. Michael Huppert credited Tech officials for their assistance throughout yesterday’s incident, saying he “couldn’t be more complimentary of the way they treated us.” He also praised Tech’s police department for how they dealt with his son. “I couldn’t be happier that nobody got seriously hurt, and he didn’t get hurt,” he said. He noted the difficulties the arrest will bring Alexander Huppert in the future. “It will haunt him for the rest of his life probably,” Michael Huppert said. “He probably won’t be able to go back to Virginia Tech, even if they would let him.”
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WUVT WEEKEND FRIDAY ed Mix scs Di
7-9
Art Day
9 AM12 PM 12-2
AM
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New River Sampler Thompson & Thomson
Steve Nimitz
7-9 AM
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
Pete French
Sunday Morning Classical
9 AM- Hickory Dickory 11 PM Dock 11-1 PM
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Aaron Horst Sounds Good Skylights
w Day Drinking 2:30-4 Talk at the Ne ic 2-3:30 PM s PM w/ Stacey Table Top 15 u M 3:30-5 The JFK Memorial 4-5:30 Nathan & Jared Tune Talk PM PM Cat Show Tech Talk 5 PM WUVT Newsbreak Actual Miles 5:30-7 Oscar Salguero’s The Entertainment 5-7 z Jaz PM PM Peruvian Chicken & Sports Show Ellenberg y t l Terrence 7-9 a 7-9 i c The Billy Goat Shawn Manns PM PM Torrence Spe t r A 9-12 Brenden Evans 9 PM- The Whatever Symphonies of ht PM & Marc Kravitz 12 AM Nig Hour Sickness y 12-2 t l L’Guida’s 12-2 a Walter Valencia George & JR ci AM Vaudeville Revue AM Spe 2-4 Diesel & Cox Caitlin Belcher 2-4 ed M ix c s Dis
By Barry C. Silk
ACROSS 1 Breakfast-onthe-run choice for som e 10 Put to shame 15 Work on a table 16 Martinique volcano 17 Driven to have 18 Not as bright 19 Structural opening? 20 When parents may need to call their kids 22 Four-time Daytona 500 champ Yarborough
AM
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Chris Winfield & 4-7 Angela Huang AM
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4/15/11 23 Resident on the Arno 25 Sediment 26 Hot feeling 27 Corporeal 28 Fluid dynamics phenomenon 29 Makes privy to 31 Arcade game nos. 33 Parades 34 Croat’ s neighbor 38 München-toWien heading 39 Designer of Dulles Airport’ s main terminal 40 Service expert 43 Meat garnishes
45 GP S determination 46 Encircled 47 Busy 48 Entangle 49 Knighted son of King Ban 51 Speleologist 52 W ords after follow or blow 53 Sitcom array 56 Like some investment s 57 Boarded en masse 58 Colorado’ s __ Park 59 Up-and-dow n time?
Andrew Barnes
DOW N 1 Will supplements 2 Place to set up camp 3 Ads, perhaps 4 Titled rapper 5 “El Condor __”: Simon & Garfunkel song 6 Mineral suf fix 7 ZENMED target 8 Enhances the details 9 Temper 10 Range, e.g.: Abbr. 11 Album before “Help!” 12 Teamed up 13 Looked 14 Joan of Arc’s crime 21 Wherever 23 Clipped style 24 Lifetime exchange for many 27 Fairness obstacle 30 Strawberry dessert
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
4/14/11
Cocktails
HOW TO PLAY:
Spell the phrase in the grid above it, writing each unique letter only once. The correct solution will spell the complete phrase along a single continuous spelling path that moves horizontally, vertically and diagonally. Fill the grid from square to square - revisiting letters as needed to complete the spelling path in order. Each letter will appear only once in the grid.
Sebastian Walker
32 Rocky crests 34 Je ne __ quoi 35 Invigorates 36 Having a better chance of recognizing 37 Begins 39 It means “traveling companion” in Russian 40 Blazing 41 Tadalafil brand 42 __ Evans, Chubby Checker’s birth nam e 44 Peepers 48 Crosswords in the 1920s, e.g. 50 Slow Churned ice cream 51 Fungi ending 54 “The Book of __”: 2010 Denzel Washington film 55 “__ Troyens”: Berlioz opera
(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
topic:
© 2011 Thinking Machine, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
visit www.Pathem.com
april 15, 2011
page 5
Survivor: Sterne story inspires others from page one
Sterne, who didn’t know his fellow victims outside of class, is now very close with several of them, as well as many of their families of his fellow students whose lives were not spared that day. Sterne listed his fallen classmates with a similar familiarity. Sterne said his friends from Norris Hall and the families of other victims all turned to each other in the days after the tragedy — and still do today. “We rely on each other to get through some things and sort of talk things out,” Sterne said. “We just like to see how everybody is doing and how we are progressing — even just to see what they are up to. It’s not always a serious thing. When we get together, we just talk about whatever.”
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There are a lot of reminders of the people that didn’t make it. And that I could have been No. 33. KEVIN STERNE APRIL 16 SURVIVOR
Sterne’s close bond with the students and families are one of the positive outcomes he has been able to take away from the darkness of what happened. He now appreciates life and the simple things, so much so that he said he’s too much of an optimist. “There are a lot of reminders of the people that didn’t make it,” Sterne said, “And that I could have been No. 33.” These reminders have been on Sterne’s mind a lot lately. He said the idea behind “Living for 32,” before it was used as the title for a documentary made by April 16 survivor Colin Goddard, is to better yourself in memory of the fallen. “Even on my sad, depressing days, that’s all I have to think about,” he said. “I could have not been here at all.” Sterne said he and other survivors are trying to return to a sense of normalcy. “It’s not that we’re trying to forget, it’s that we are trying to be ourselves — you know — be who we are and not have this thing be a defining part of the rest of our lives,” Sterne said. “It’s not that it didn’t change us — anybody who’ll tell you it didn’t change them is crazy, even though we are all a little crazy.” Sterne said the April 16 victims
struggle with people asking if they knew anyone involved in the shootings. “You have to say, ‘Well actually, I was,’” Sterne said. “You tell them to Google your name and they’ll get 20,000 stories.” When his contract is up on his current engineering research job with the university, Sterne is unsure whether he will stay in the Blacksburg area. Tech will remain a part of him no matter where he goes. “It’s not a place you can easily forget,” he says. Because Sterne has been in Blacksburg for over eight years, getting various degrees, he now claims to be from the town — he has lived here longer than anywhere else. “But you kinda wonder, is there somewhere else to go?” he asked. Right now, Sterne is mostly concerned with his various tasks at his researching job and at WUVT, such as hosting the radio show “Talk of the Table,” a community issues program for the New River Valley, as well as producing and overseeing several other projects. It’s clear that Sterne has plenty on his plate besides dwelling on the past. “For as much as I work at a radio station, I don’t know anything about music,” Sterne said, joking. Besides doing amateur radio, Sterne has picked up a few hobbies. He loves to backpack and go hiking in the area. “And also, really just traveling,” Sterne added. “It’s in the same vein as wanting to pay people back for how supportive they were of me in the first couple of years. So I like to travel and see old friends that I haven’t seen for a while and just randomly catch up. I had kind of lost touch with a lot of people, and now I think that’s something that’s changed.” Reconnecting with people is Sterne’s way of showing thanks and making sure relationships are not wasted. With the fourth anniversary of the April 16 tragedy being Saturday, people wonder what it encompasses for someone who was so closely involved. “A lot of the April 16 people are involved in the events that the university puts on, but for me I try to not stress and not blow it out of the water,” Sterne said. He likes to attend the vigils that have been held on each anniversary and has been involved with other events like the 3.2 Run in Remembrance race.
“I’ve just walked it — I’m no runner,” he said. But Sterne doesn’t see the remembrance events as overly special. “It’s hard to describe,” he said. “In doing (those things) I am remembering all of the people lost, but I’m doing what I would have done even if I hadn’t been a part of that day.” “As long as I can reflect, and remember and just have some time to myself — I think that’s what’s important,” Sterne said. Time alone on the anniversary is something Sterne values. “It’s definitely nice to have your own bubble then,” Sterne said. For someone who was being contacted at 5 p.m. on the same day as the shootings by news agencies, this is understandable. “There were pretty much constant e-mails for days afterward,” Sterne said. “It was coming from everywhere. I think I even ended up with an O’Reilly Factor Fox news T-shirt.” The news media and sensation of it all was something Sterne was ambivalent toward. His recovery was his main concern. “And also I was too much in shock that I wouldn’t know what to say,” Sterne said. Sterne was unprepared to face the spotlight. “I never pictured myself as a little kid being famous,” Sterne said. “I never pictured that I would be on every paper from here to Tokyo.”
“
I never pictured myself as a little kid being famous. I never pictured that I would be on every paper from here to Tokyo. KEVIN STERNE APRIL 16 SURVIVOR
An image of Sterne and his bloody gunshot wounds, being carried by his arms and legs by police and rescue workers, was one of the most prevalent photos transmitted during the news coverage of the event. “You never kind of want that attention,” Sterne said. “So when you do get that attention, you kind of step back and say, ‘I don’t want this.’” After all the chaos that April 16 brought, Sterne still has a stable head on his shoulders and has a message for people who are going through a tragedy.
“Reach out,” he said. “For people that are going through things like that, even for something like the tornados in Pulaski County — you know, its crazy. But to reach out and to know that there are organizations, even things in government, that people will help out with.” Sterne stressed the importance of human contact and the power of relationships when it comes to coping. “It’s been really great getting to know the people, even outside of those people that were directly involved, but people from side effects of that — the people I’ve met that I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” Sterne said. “We say, ‘It’s not a great way for us to have met,’ but we’re glad we did meet each other.” One thing Sterne is especially proud of is the affect his story had on the Boy Scout community. “They were so inspired by that story,” Sterne said, about the tourniquet he used on his wound. “Because that’s how I had learned — from first aid in Boy Scouts.” Sterne said after hearing about the events in a current events class, a boy from Warrenton went home and said “All right. You know what? I’m gonna be an Eagle Scout.” Eventually the boy and his parents got in touch with Sterne through e-mail and they began talking back and forth. Sterne keeps in contact and stays updated on the boy and his brother’s life. Sterne recently attended the boys’ final Boy Scout award ceremony and their Court of Honor on New Year’s Eve. “That’s what’s wild and crazy about it — that something so tragic inspired people like that,” Sterne said. Sterne said things like legislation promoting gun control can help prevent tragedies such as Tech’s from occurring again. He emphasizes that problems leading to such events can be targeted with a more simple approach. “It can be something as simple as staying in contact with someone. You know, stay friends with them — see how they’re doing,” Sterne said. “If someone’s having a rough time, you can help — not by doing anything special, but just because you’re friends. It’s as simple as being supportive.” Sterne said he believes small things can really make a difference. “You know, send ‘em a card,” Stern said, chuckling. “When’s the last time you mailed somebody a letter?” For Sterne, the recovery process has been a long one, but he has created light out of darkness. He will never forget.
April 16, 2011 Schedule of Events 9:40 a.m. @ Alumni Mall 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance
Midnight @ Memorial: Ceremonial Candle Lighting
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. @ Holtzman Alumni Center Memorial Exhibit and Slide Show
11:30 a.m. @ the Drillfield Community Picnic
7:30 p.m. @ Memorial University Commemoration and Candlelight Vigil
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. @ Burruss Hall Rememberance Through Art Dance Program
11:59 p.m. @ Memorial Extinguishing of Candle Ceremony
Lawsuit Timeline April 16, 2008 Families of Julia Pryde and Erin Peterson file identical suits against Virginia Tech, as well as individual officials, alleging gross negligence in failing to warn students there had been a shooting on campus.
July 2009 Shooter Seung-Hui Cho’s previously missing mental health records are located in the home of former Cook Counseling Center director Robert Miller — a defendant in the suits.
July-August 2009 Montgomery County judges recuse themselves from the case. A Franklin County judge is appointed to preside over the case.
December 2009 After a hearing, the judge rules Tech President Charles Steger and former vice president James Hyatt are not protected by sovereign immunity. They remain defendants. Several other university officials were dropped from the suits.
September 26, 2011 October 7, 2011 The case will go to a two-week jury trial.
Agent: After aiding April 16 investigation, Foust returns to Tech community to work from page one
family. “I think the totality of my career with the FBI is going to help me at Tech in many ways,” Foust said. “Probably a lot of my experience in the bureau and working terrorism cases overseas will help when we’re talking about security issues not only at the off-site campuses but the campuses overseas as well.” Foust also has experience working with the Blacksburg and Tech police departments, and was an active part of the investigations following April
16, 2007. “I was the FBI commander in charge on scene. Our involvement in it was pretty simple — we were simply there to support the (Tech police) in any way we could,” Foust said. “Any resources that the FBI could bring to the table to help assist them in their investigation we were happy to do that.” Foust said he and his team of FBI agents arrived shortly after the shootings in Norris Hall. Despite the claims of negligence on the part of administrators that have arisen since the shootings, Foust said
he was impressed with the response of President Charles Steger and his administration. “In my estimation they bent over backwards to assist us, and when I say ‘us’ I mean all of the law enforcement. I was touched by Dr. Steger’s personal response to us,” Foust said. “We were never denied anything by the administration at Virginia Tech.” The position Foust will take is one that has just been created, and will draw an $80,000 salary. “The position is one that we’ve been looking into for some time,” Flinchum
said. “We were looking around for the right person and Kevin was available and was selected for the position.” Gene Deisinger, assistant chief of Tech Police, will be Foust’s peer and makes an $109,600 salary. He said in addition to Foust’s security experience, his open and friendly personality will help the Tech Police develop important relationships with the community. “I think we’re very fortunate to have someone like Foust,” Deisinger said. “His ability to foster relationships is just going to be a huge asset to our
team.” Flinchum said in his new position, Foust will also report to the director of emergency management. Foust said he would do everything he can to prevent another tragedy, but he was realistic about his expectations. “There are no guarantees in life, at all,” Foust said. “If you have a person who’s truly motivated to do something similar to that, unless they’re sharing their plans with somebody else who’s going to inform law enforcement, or unless you see any warning signs you might be able to see, I don’t know that
you can ever guarantee you’ll be able to prevent it.” Foust said the overseas work would be a challenge that he is excited about, and he is also humbled to be a part of the Tech community. “There’s not a lot of universities and colleges across the country that are looking to do this type of thing, especially in the overseas arena. I applaud (Tech) for their forward thinking,” Foust said. “I’m looking forward to getting down there and getting my feet wet and hopefully having a positive impact.”
6
people & clubs he she
editors: lindsey brookbank, kim walter featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
april 15, 2011
She said: The 3.2 mile run will leave you breathless hen I began applying to colleges, I knew I wanted W two things: a big school and a
JAMIE MARTYN / COLLEGIATE TIMES
SAID
He said: We may not feel the same pain, but we will never forget decided to become a Hokie on April 14, 2007. IThat day, my parents peeled me away from the TV long enough to visit two of my prospective colleges: James Madison University and Virginia Tech. At the time, it was hardly a competition: My allegiance was firmly to the Duke Dog. I spent the entire ride down Interstate 81 complaining about what a waste of time the detour to Blacksburg would be. Needless to say, the trip flipped my expectation on its head. What I assumed was a drab technical school turned out to be a beautiful campus hosting a vibrant student community. After a day of attractive tour guides and dropped jaws at the endless dining options, I left Blacksburg as a new frontrunner in my college decision. Two days later, everything — and nothing — changed. Every Hokie remembers where they were that Monday. I have vivid memories of sitting in the Paul VI Catholic High School journalism room when
a friend mentioned that a student had been attacked at Tech. Any focus on assignments disappeared when news broke on the events unfolding four hours away. The morning took on sinister overtones, as initial rumors of a small altercation gave way to the horrific truth. Classes seemed like an afterthought as the entire school waited anxiously for news on friends and loved ones. In a chilling echo of Sept. 11, students were periodically plucked from class by anxious parents. While it appeared to be a scene ripped out of nightmares in Northern Virginia, no one could begin to imagine the horror on campus. Even when that terrible number stopped increasing, it was impossible to wrap my head around the carnage that had unfolded. One thing seemed clear: My intended college had indelibly changed. Only it hadn’t. Ensuing days saw heartbreak and inconsolable sadness, but also perseverance. Hokie spirit rose from the
ashes like a phoenix to send a proclamation to the world: We will prevail. Watching as Nikki Giovanni led the beleaguered, yet defiant Cassell Coliseum crowd in solemn memorial made more of an impression on me than another 10 visits to Blacksburg ever could. Other colleges talk about their close-knit communities — Tech’s was on full display to the world during its darkest hour. It was a tragic, bewildering and profoundly moving week. Several friends and I, who hoped to become Hokies, expected people to ask if we were still considering Tech. It never happened. There seemed to only be widespread admiration for the students’ grace under fire — the Hokie pride that took a mighty blow but never faltered. My college decision had never been more clear. I received admission to Tech a year later and never once considered going anywhere else. It wasn’t just a decision to go to college. For those of us who
had watched the tragedy unfold from high schools and living rooms, it was clear we were joining a family. Four years have passed since that Monday morning in the journalism room. In that time, I’ve gone from a high school student with maroon and orange aspirations to a full-fledged member of this community. My class will never have the visceral connection to April 16 shared by students at Tech that day. In fact, most who were direct witnesses are now gone. In their place are new generations of Hokies who experienced the tragic events through TVs and computers. In this respect, the day has changed from a time of personal mourning to a collective commemoration of the darkest chapter in our community’s history. We can’t feel the same pain as our predecessors, but we do not — and will not — forget. When my afternoon class was canceled the other day, I decided to take a walk across the Drillfield. All around me were students laughing and tossing frisbees in the beautiful spring weather. Only a short distance away from that scene lay a stark reminder of the loss we all share. In tribute to our fallen brethren, 32 stones covered in flowers and birthday letters will stand forever. The juxtaposition on the Drillfield that sunny afternoon sums up Virginia Tech: Celebration of the indefatigable Hokie spirit and remembrance of those who will never be forgotten.
ANDREW REILLY -features staff writer -junior -communication major
good football team. After attending a small private high school, I wanted to be able to get lost in a crowd. Being in a class of 70 students meant I knew everything about everyone, and they knew everything about me. There were no secrets. As I stepped on the Virginia Tech campus, I knew I was home immediately. The stadium blew me away, and the campus was a sea of orange and maroon. I fell in love and I never looked back. I applied early decision, and the April 16 shootings didn’t affect my choice. My freshman year is something I’ll never forget. It was awkward, scary and embarrassing to say the least. But when orientation came around, I was only asked one question: What is a Hokie? I am. The numerous icebreakers left me bored to tears. The orientation leaders overwhelmed me with their enthusiasm. What was I getting myself into? I didn’t get it. It’s taken a year, but I have finally figured out why freshmen stand out. Freshmen don’t get it. Tech is unlike any other college. Besides our inexplicable love for football, we follow a tradition that is not understood by outsiders. But when I was a freshman, I didn’t know anything about Ut Prosim, the seriousness of Hokie football or anything to be honest. I was an innocent bystander from Delaware who had a lot to learn.
is unlike any “Tech other college. Besides our inexplicable love for football, we follow a tradition that is not understood by outsiders. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I now know everything about Tech and its tradition, because I don’t — and maybe I never will. All I know is that seeing Hokies unite during a time of sadness in April 2007 showed how Tech stands out. Students interviewed about April 16 refused to give in to the media, searching for fear. Instead, Hokies took pride in their campus and community. While the event was a tragedy, it did not change how much those students loved being Hokies. I consider freshman year as a true transition stage into becoming a Hokie. The weekend of April 16, 2010, changed everything for me. I felt confused as to how to react when the anniversary approached. I wasn’t there, and I will never be able to understand the thoughts and reactions students, faculty, staff and families faced that day. But I knew I wanted to respect and honor those 32
lives. I attended the candlelight vigil to learn more about how Hokies reflect on the shootings and honor those killed. It was quiet, sad and somewhat eerie, but it was an event that opened my eyes to the reality of the situation. I didn’t know how I could be a part of this event, even my entire dorm seemed lost and no one felt comfortable asking questions. So my hallmate, Whitney, and I made a decision that has changed my life forever — to participate in the 3.2 mile run. The run was and still is one of my favorite memories at Tech. Seeing everyone unite in the morning to reflect and honor the students was inexplicable. I proudly made my way to the check-in line to sign up for the race. Students, faculty, staff and townspeople attended the race. It was one of the first events where I had truly seen the entire Blacksburg community come together. After checking in, I was handed a maroon balloon from a staff member at the event. Confused, I looked at the race line and noticed 32 white balloons. Each runner held an orange or maroon balloon, which they were supposed to hold until the beginning of the race. When the race began, the 32 balloons as well as the hundreds of maroon and orange balloons were released into the sky. Seeing the balloons merge and float into the sky was breathtaking. While the run was extremely difficult with various hills, I felt extremely motivated. I never gave up- I wasn’t running for myself anymore. And when I wanted to give up, I repeatedly told myself to finish the race for the 32 people who couldn’t be there. Let’s just say that I ran faster than I’ve ever ran. Crossing the finish line of the race was something I’ll never forget either. It was as if I crossed over. I became a true Hokie that day. I had never been more proud to be a student at Tech, as hundreds, if not thousands of Hokies came together. We take pride in the fact that we will never forget April 16. Whether class is canceled or not, our community will forever reflect and honors those 32 unforgettable Hokies. We are Virginia Tech. If you haven’t participated in any of the April 16 events, whether it’s out of fear or confusion, check it out. I promise you won’t regret it. So what’s a Hokie? Go find out for yourself this weekend.
CHELSEA GUNTER -features reporter -sophomore -communication major
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Hogs4Hokies cruise to Blacksburg for 32 lives while raising scholarship funds MIA PERRY features reporter Frank Salzano is haunted by the Virginia Tech April 16, 2007, shootings. Salzano graduated from Tech in 1983 as a civil engineering major. Even 28 years after leaving Tech, Salzanzo can still envision his own days in Norris Hall. He remembers the tragedy well — a day of complete “numbness.” After checking on his friends who attended Tech at the time of the shootings, Salzano said he was shocked — a feeling that resided within him for weeks. “I just kept thinking, ‘Why?’” he said. This thought motivated Salzano to give back to his alma mater in memory of the April 16 victims. Salzano, a motorcycle enthusiast who has an apparent love for the Hokies, gathered 75 like-minded individuals to form Hogs4Hokies — a group of Tech and biking supporters that raises money for the 32 Named Memorial Endowments Fund. The fund is divided into 32 scholarships, each named after an April 16 victim. Each scholarship has a separate fund, which must contain $100,000 to be fully endowed and awarded to someone. Once a fund is endowed, it and the name attached to it “will go on forever.” “We just love Tech so much,” Salzano said. “(April 16) really shattered our little world. You don’t feel responsible, but you feel like it’s a family member — that’s just the way Hokies are.” On April 30, the Hogs4Hokies will
COURTESY OF FRANK SALZANO
Hogs4Hokies take the campus by storm as they park their motorcycles across the Virginia Tech Drillfield. After a long journey, the bikers halt for a ceremony as they raise money for the 32 Named Memorial Endowments Fund and honor the lives lost on April 16, 2007. roar into Blacksburg on their motorcycles as part of their annual tribute to Tech and April 16. The term “hog” in the group’s name stems from Harley Davidson. Salzano owns a Harley, which is painted in Tech colors. The group hopes this year’s spirit ride will be the biggest yet, with more than 200 supporters planning
to visit Tech. Each rider is asked to donate at least $32 to support the cause, and these fees, as well as donations from other alumni, businesses and private donors, help add money to the fund. When Hogs4Hokies visits Blacksburg, decked out with Tech memorabilia, its members gather on
the Drillfield to hold a ceremony remembering those killed in the shootings. The ceremony, where university President Charles Steger will speak, will be held on April 30, around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. “We line up 200 bikes on the Drillfield, and we ride around it a couple times,” Salzano said. “I mean we completely ring that Drillfield
with bikes.” At this year’s ceremony, Dave McCain, father of April 16 victim Lauren McCain, will award the scholarship fund in her name to a recipient. Salzanzo said he is hoping to meet an actual scholarship recipient. After the ceremony, Hogs4Hokies will hold a dinner party in
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Christiansburg, complete with raffles and live music. Salzano said the ceremony is not just about Hogs4Hokies, but what others have contributed to support the Tech community. “We’ve had a lot of support,” Salzano said. “Even Coach (Frank) Beamer signs (memorabilia) for us to auction off.” Salzano said although there is a stereotype about bikers, they are still human. “You think of rough, leather, guntotin’ guys, but these are all professionals, a lot of them alumni, or family,” Salzano said. “They are just the kind of people who want to do whatever they can to help. There’s a brotherhood there very similar to that of when you talk about Hokies.” Regardless, the group members are still bikers, and Salzano said its hard to miss the gang when the visit town. He compared the Hogs4Hokies crew to a mini “Rolling Thunder.” “The police get out of their cars and take pictures of us,” Salzano said, laughing. “It’s just amazing to see everyone sort of just stop and look. The noise of 200 bikes going down the road — it just makes you wanna look.” There are four groups riding to Tech from Hampton, Charlottesville, Manassas and Richmond. The groups will meet in Christiansburg to ride to Blacksburg. The Tech Motorcycle Club will also join the group. Salzano made it clear everyone is welcome. “It’s all about the 32 victims, so I don’t really care what you’re in,” Salzano said, chuckling.
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