The Ohio State community will come together tonight at a campus-wide vigil to commemorate last week’s tragic events.
The vigil, organized by the Division of Student Affairs, will begin at 7:30 p.m. on a stage set up on the north side of the Oval near Hayes Hall.
“This will give us a chance, as a campus, to express our sorrow and regrets on behalf of the Ohio State University,” said Bill Hall, vice president for Student Affairs. “The vigil is open to the entire OSU community, and I hope to see lots of students, faculty and staff. We need to show our support and unite as a campus.”
Ruth Gerstner, student affairs spokeswoman, said a string quartet will begin the program with a medley of patriotic and inspirational music. Louise Douce, director of Counseling and Consultation Services, is hosting the spoken portion of the event, which will start at 8 p.m.
“As people arrive on the Oval, they should stop at one of three tents set up on the Oval,” Gerstner said. “Undergraduate students will be handing out programs and candles to those in attendance.”
OSU President William “Brit” Kirwan will first address the crowd, offering his remarks about last week’s tragic events. David Citino, professor of English, will then recite a poem he wrote about the national tragedy.
Other speakers in the program will include a member of the Campus Ministry Association, Ethnic Student Services Director Sile Singleton and President Eddie Pauline. The service will conclude with a moment of silence and then the collective singing of “Carmen Ohio.”
Pauline, who was in the New York area with a friend at the time of the attack and personally observed the World Trade Center damage, said he is looking forward to sharing his personal experiences and emotions to tonight’s crowd.
“The scariest thing for me was that I was on top of the World Trade Center on the Sunday before the attack,” Pauline said.
In his speech, Pauline said he would remind everyone about the importance of moving forward in their lives.
“We shouldn’t change our lifestyles because of this horrible attack,” Pauline said. “That is what they (the terrorists) would want us to do.”
Those in attendance at the vigil will remain standing throughout the entire program, though chairs will be available for individuals with disabilities, Gerstner said. She said that a sign language interpreter will also be present.
Pauline added that USG will be continuing its white ribbon campaign at the vigil. Students may purchase a white ribbon for $1, with all proceeds being donated to disaster relief funds.
In response to the events of last week, Gerstner said the Division of Student Affairs will be organizing a blood drive Sunday at the Ohio Union from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interested donors should contact the Ohio Union business office to schedule an appointment.
