Reflections on Virginia Tech

By Jesse Gardner, '80 and Vernon Strawhand, '60

Jesse and I are graduates of Virginia Tech, a generation apart. This week's news of the senseless killings at Virginia Tech especially impacted both of us-not because we had relatives there, but rather it was at our alma mater and things like that just don't happen there. As we watched the breaking news, we realized it was real and that many people lost their lives that day -a survivor of the Holocaust, gifted scientists and professors and so many young people with bright futures ahead. We have both found ourselves in tears this week as we witnessed the events. In Jesse's words, "Even as bad as the tragedy was, I could not understand why it hurt so badly. But as I watched more interviews with current students at Tech I began to understand my emotions. Virginia Tech is a very tightly-knit community of students, faculty, staff and alumni; and I was a part of this extended family. I have always known this intellectually, but since Monday I have experienced it personally at a much deeper level; and this has led me to be more introspective about the true meaning of community."

Although having Christian influences on campus, Virginia Tech is not a Christian school. However, its motto: Ut Prosim, which means "That I May Serve," made it very clear to me that Virginia Tech is a very special community that is serving each other in this time of tragedy.

James 1:2-4 (NIV) says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James tells us we don't know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. So where is the joy in this tragedy? And what were the reactions?

There was joy in a Holocaust survivor blocking the door of his classroom and eventually dying so his students could escape. There is joy from knowing that four of the victims were actively associated with Campus Crusade and knew Christ in their death-one of whom said Jesus was the love of her life. There is joy in all the Christian-based organizations that rushed to campus to support the students and faculty. There is joy in how the student body, staff and administration pulled together as a tight-knit family-setting a wonderful example for those who watched around the world. They provided a living and vivid example for us of just how God might expect us to react when we face trials. Just think of how much more we can do as a Christian community with the love and grace of Jesus Christ leading us.

I believe in the sun even when it isn't shining.
I believe in love even when I am alone.
I believe in God even when He is silent.

These words were found scrawled on a cellar wall
where Jews had hidden in World War II in Cologne, Germany.