Area Colleges Hold Vigils to Mourn VT Victims

UNIVERSITY CITY - April 17, 2007 (WPVI) -- Hundreds of miles away from the tragedy, people gathered to express their support for Virginia Tech and mourn the loss of those who were killed.

In University City, ministers of many faiths joined students and faculty from many universities to pray for the grieving, the dead and those still recovering at Virginia Tech.

"The souls of the just are in the hands of God and no torment shall touch them," said Kate Bowser of Drexel University.

"The events have been defined as one of the worst in history and while it's tragic nature remains. The event is now being defined by strength, compassion and solidarity," said Christine Grecus, a Virginia Tech Alumna.

Ben Titus broke down. Recently, those students in the line of fire were his classmates.

"I just graduated in December. I know most of them are on the drill field tonight. That's where I wanted to be," said Titus.

At Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, a small group held candles in prayer.

In Newark, at the University of Delaware, another gathering offered more prayers for Virginia Tech.

And at the base of Temple University's Bell Tower, dozens of students came together to share their thoughts and their prayers for their fellow students at Virginia Tech.

"Hope, pray, give homage to the victims of the shooting. Just do what you can so it doesn't happen again," said Nicholas Bardotsos, a sophomore.

Similar observances were held in chapels, courtyards and campus centers across the country.

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

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