The Virginia Tech colors were displayed in this ballon arch in front of Burruss Hall as part of an April 23 moment of silence on the campus. (Michael Kiernan/Virginia Tech courtesy photo)
E-mail from Virginia Tech Provost Mark McNamee
- April 20: The love for Virginia Tech shines
- April 22: Memorials bring tears
- April 23: Students return, faculty is terrific
- April 24: Roses and reckoning
- April 25: Back to routine — and recovery
April 24 e-mail from Mark McNamee: Roses and reckoning
We completed the second day of classes today, and everything is going remarkably well. Because of the way classes are scheduled, today was the first day back for many of the classes.
Once again, attendance was unusually high. Counselors were available in every classroom to help as needed.
Carole was one of the counselors today, and she was in four different classes. The students and faculty continue to express appreciation. Some of the stories from the classrooms are very touching.
In a large freshman chemistry class, the faculty member placed a Virginia Tech T-shirt and a rose on the seat where one of the fallen students usually sits. The students felt that the student was still with them as they resumed learning chemistry.
This afternoon we had the service for the French professor, Jocelyn Couture-Nowak, who was killed. Her husband is the department chair of Horticulture and the service was held outside in the beautiful horticulture gardens on campus.
A number of her students spoke about "Madame's" boundless enthusiasm and magical smile. One of the injured students is still in a wheelchair, and he spoke with great eloquence in both French and English.
Injured faculty member back in class
I continue to visit some of the affected departments and programs. The biomedical engineering faculty member who was wounded is back in the classroom and doing well.
‘In a large freshman chemistry class, the faculty member placed a Virginia Tech T-shirt and a rose on the seat where one of the fallen students usually sits.’
The Engineering Science and Mechanics Department (30 faculty) and the entire Engineering Dean's Office (both of which were in Norris Hall) have been relocated to different spaces.
The faculty members who were on the second floor are still awaiting release of their personal items, hopefully within the next day or so.
All the relocated faculty and staff have new computers and fully operational internet and phone services.
The 100-plus different classes that are normally held in Norris Hall each week have all been relocated, some with new instructors.
Fortunately, the press doesn't know where anyone is. They have been respectful of the privacy of the classrooms, and they have conducted their interviews in public spaces outside the academic buildings.
Counseling for 1,500
Counselors are working with the faculty and staff in groups and in individual sessions. Last week, more than 1,500 faculty and staff attended dozens of group sessions organized around departments and colleges.
‘Our staff is feeling the first wave of the delayed reactions to the shootings after a week of intense attention to the immediate crisis.’
Our mental health provider (ValueOptions) is providing extraordinary levels of support with high-level professionals from around the country. They are working hand in hand with our campus counseling staff and local counselors.
Today, the provost's office staff participated in sessions. My staff is feeling the first wave of the delayed reactions to the shootings after a week of intense attention to the immediate crisis.
Most of my staff is located in offices that face Norris Hall, so they heard the entire incident and saw the aftermath. Fortunately, the group is very supportive of one another, and we will work together for a full recovery.
Police press conference
Tomorrow (Wednesday) the police will be holding a press conference at 1:30 to release everything they know about the case as a result of their exhaustive investigations.
The police and FBI have been using every available conference room in our building to coordinate and manage the investigation. We expect to see a steady decrease in the police presence over time.
The spirit of the community is incredibly hopeful. Faculty, staff, and students feel closer together than ever.
I have never experienced such a strong sense of belonging.
This afternoon a female deputy sheriff on temporary duty from Northern Virginia came up to me and the president, hugged us and said she is privileged to be here. Her daughter will be an entering freshman next year, and they are both proud and excited.
We continue to be inundated with letters, cards, gifts and memorials. They lift our spirits and demonstrate the goodness of so many people.
Love,