Spring Break
Vigil held for Northern
Art Self
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News
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Dr. Garry Johnson, Vice President for Student Services, presided over the vigil and introduced each of the speakers. Johnson announced that he and Jim DiTulio, director of the Counseling Center, offered any help they could to Northern. In fact, DiTulio and a number of his staff will be going to Northern to help the process of grieving across the campus.
"As (students) get back to class they will have some very tough times. (Northern's) goal is to have 300 counselors there so they can help students in the process of grieving and moving on with their lives," Johnson said.
The most emotional speech of the afternoon was Student Government Association President Sam Pfister, who spoke last at the vigil. Pfister became visibly mournful when he spoke about the shooting and shared his sympathy for Northern.
"The students, our family, our friends and our colleagues at NIU have been violated in an unbelievable way. It is a sad day when students feel insecure about going to class," Pfister said.
Pfister also talked about the member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity who died in the tragedy, sharing his deepest sympathies for the fraternity. He continued on to commend the speedy response of the Northern campus police.
"I am very thankful, however, for the quick response of the NIU campus police and preparedness of the university to prevent more loss of life," Pfister said. "Within 20 minutes of the first report, the campus was locked down and an alert went out to everyone on campus. That is really a blessing."
Pfister also offered advice for Northern, as students will resume class Monday: "WIU must do all within its power to help our fellow institution in its time of need. Northern, forget not that there are strong arms around you."
A banner that will be available in the Union Concourse starting Wednesday for students to sign and send off to Northern was previewed.
Board of Trustees member Jessie Kallman spoke, extending her sympathies, as did Western President Al Goldfarb, who also had a request for Western.
"In our world today we lead busy lives, but I do ask each of you to take a moment to remember those who were lost at Northern and to reach out to those that are in need," he said.
Pi Kappa Alpha member Chris Sifuentes, junior law enforcement and justice administration major, reflected on the vigil. "It gives us a chance to remember what happened in our thoughts and see all the people that care. It affects not only everybody but also the Greek community and we can all come together in this time of need."
Kristina Richardson, senior political science major and a DeKalb native and transfer student from Northern, went to the campus to visit and to see the crosses on the campus located at the Martin Luther King Commons.
"It was hard walking up and it was hard seeing that and it was hard thinking of the loss of life," she said she felt as she approached the six crosses. Stephen P. Kazmierczak's, the shooter, cross is turned backward.
"You can't help but get emotional no matter who you are, no matter what your role is, you can't help but get emotional," she said.
The vigil ended with a moment of silence.
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