To: The St. Lawrence Community

From: President Daniel F. Sullivan

Date: April 17, 2007

Subject: Response to Tragedy at Virginia Tech

Words are hard to find when we experience the shock of an unimaginable incident such as the murders at Virginia Tech yesterday. We know that this event directly affects each and every person who attempts to understand how and why it occurred, especially college and university students, faculty, staff and their extended families. As we reach out in any way we can to fellow students, faculty and staff who grieve their loss, who struggle with injury, who cope with the fear and anxiety, we also extend our condolences to the Virginia Tech family.

Our own Gunnison Chapel is open at all times for those who need a place for reflection and solace.  Chaplain Buckley and Associate Chaplain Whitehead invite you to visit the chapel to light a candle for the victims of this shooting and to write a message of condolence to them. We will collect the messages at the end of the week and convey them to our colleagues in a symbol of our support. 

I echo the words of the leadership of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, who said this morning that the people of Virginia Tech “have inspired us with their strength and compassionate responses at this difficult time.”  They, and all of us, work tirelessly to create an environment for learning and growing and all of us rededicate ourselves to the important work that we do on behalf of our students.