C/lt a I k abo ut colleges and universiries as if rhey exisr in aseparare universe from "rhe real world." April 16 broughr home jusr how muchrhe <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> universiry communiry is parr of"rhe real world." TIle rragedy!!5 irself, an enormity anywhere, seemed especially heinous on a universiry campus,~u. where rhe spirir of inquiry and rolerance of orhers' viewpoints are encouraged.~--' Yer ir serves as a reminder rhat our institmions of higher learning are very much Ut Prosim (Thar I May Serve). lllis "Hokie Spirit" shone brightly and demono0:: strated to the world the uniqueness of our special community.oU.Behind rhe scenes, university employees stepped forward and gave 2000C/lo percent in their efforts to minimize the trauma of April 16 for the students and>o0:: to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy. Many worked around the clock the0-UJ first few days and worked long hours for the next several weeks.U:;;: \Ve also learned on April 16 rhat our university community is parr ofa~'"istrong global community.1§ As news of the events on campus reached the resr of the world, tens of!l:lu. thousands of messages and gifts ofcondolence began pouring in. Some werefrom people who are friends ofsmdents or university personnel, but even morewere from people who simply cared and wanted to give the families ofrhe deadand injured and everyone here at <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> a measure of solace in ourcollective grief. We are deeply grareful to each one of these new friends.JUSt as Oll!' students and faculty hail from over 100 countries, we receivedcondolences from more than 100 countries and every state in the United Statesfrom people affirming their connection to <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Tech</strong>. Memorial eventsaround the world, including those at the Teclmisc/J" Uiliversitiit Darmstadt inGermany, where some ofour students spent the spring semester, and at ourown Center for European Smdies and Architecmre in Swirzerland, helpedemphasize that we were not alone and that the tragedy of April 16 was a globalevent.Closer to home, Blacksburg and surrounding communities gave assistancefreely in the crisis, from police and fire departments to crisis counselors andmassage therapisrs. Area residents gor out their Hokie regalia normallyreserved for sports competitions to show their solidarity with us in our time oftragedy. Communities and businesses displayed signs or billboards, such as theone outside a local bank rhat simply said, "Our thoughts and prayers are withthe <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> family." Ir was a daily source of comfort for <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Tech</strong>students and employees who passed by each day.And on Friday, April 20, a nation wore maroon and orange. We noticed andwere comforted.The third article in rhis issue captures some of the exemplary work ofuniversiry personnel in dealing with the crisis. Space does not allow us to detaileveryone's story, so it is important ro keep in mind thar rhese efforts above andbeyond the call ofduty exemplify our entire community.\Ve noticed, and we are proud and gr,U--p,",,~,::;' "'~""i""1 Vi" Aff,i"2007Cover Photo John McCor mickwww.outreach,vt.edu/newsEditor Susan B. FelkerArt Director Michele MoldenhauerWebsite Manager Holly CarrollCopy Editor Richard LovegroveContributing Writers Lynn Davis Jean Elliott Lori Greiner Sookhn Ho Sarah JacobsonMiriam RichLois StephensPhotographers Josh ArmstrongGiona Beltametti,OESA photosRick GriffithsMichael KiernanJohn McCormickPublica (ions Director Clara B. CoxPublishers John E. DooleyVice Provost, <strong>Outreach</strong>and <strong>International</strong><strong>Affairs</strong>Larry HinckerAssociateVice PresidentUniversity RelationsBUSiness Manager Jane SwanEditorial Board Clara B. CoxDavid NutterMiriam RichSusan ShortLois Stephens<strong>Outreach</strong> NOW:Networking Opportunities Worldwide is published annually by <strong>Outreach</strong> and <strong>International</strong><strong>Affairs</strong>, <strong>Virginia</strong> PolytechniC Institute and StateUniversity, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Periodicalpostage is paid at Blacksburg, Va.Copyright© 2007Address changes and circulation inquiries shouldbe mailed to th e Office of the Vice Provost for<strong>Outreach</strong> and <strong>International</strong> <strong>Affairs</strong>, 330 BurrussHall, <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Tech</strong>. Blacksburg, VA 24061.Editorial inquiries, permiSSion to reproduce anymaterial, letters to the editor, and other commentsshould be mailed to the Editor, <strong>Outreach</strong>NOW. 702 University City Boulevard, Room 205(0364), Blacksburg, VA 24061, or sent bye-mailto outreachnow@vt.edu.Pos tmaster: If undeliverable, please send form3579 to the Office of tile Vice Provost for <strong>Outreach</strong>and <strong>International</strong> <strong>Affairs</strong>, 330 Burruss Hall,<strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Tech</strong>, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Do not returnpublication.Out rea c h N OW is produced by the Office ofUniversity Relations.<strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> does not discriminate against employees,students. or applicants for admission oremployment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexualorientation. disability, age, veteran status, nationalorigin, religion, or political affiliation. Anyone havingquestions concerning discrimination should contactthe Office for Equal Opportunity.
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