With the threat of war possibly on the horizon, the Ohio State community came together in a candlelight vigil to honor those who fell victim to last week’s terrorist attacks.
“Everything at this university is great, just to see how people care,” said Sarah Topy, Undergraduate Student Government chief of staff. “When this happened, there were probably 25 different offices which got together and sat down at the table and said, ‘What can we do?’ “
To help set a somber mood for the ceremony, a string quartet played music that helped tie together both the United States and Ohio State communities.
Louise Douce, director of Counseling and Consultation Services and the night’s MC, spoke of the various services the counseling center on the fourth floor of Younkin Success Center were offering to students, faculty and staff. Until yesterday, there was a tent sent up in front of the Faculty Club where people could speak with grief counselors.
To continue to honor and support the various rescue teams that continue to work at the sites, a changing of the guard occurred between police and other armed guards.
Rob Crawford, a biochemistry and French major, as well as an university ambassador, jumped at the chance to sign up and volunteer his time. He said he felt this occasion could only bring the community closer together and saw it as another way the new freshman class will become part of the community.
The ceremony brought together various leaders from the OSU community. They all spoke of different and important aspects of how the community has been affected. The main themes throughout the speeches were tolerance and the diversity offered by the university.
Pawandeep S. Lamba, president of the OSU Sikh Student Association, said even though there have been no attacks on people of the Sikh community in Columbus, 150 people throughout the nation have fallen victim to violence, ranging from beatings to fire bombs.
“There is no adversary that we can’t triumph,” said Ed Ray, OSUprovost, as he spoke of growing up in New York City with all of its diversity.
Eddie Pauline, USG president, spoke from a first-hand account and said terrorists destroyed lives and buildings, but not the American soul.
“I think as a campus and community it was important that we came together and acknowledge what happened and acknowledge what it means to our country,” said Erin Kemp, a business student.
