We Remember
April 16th, 2007On April 16th, 2007, 32 innocent lives were lost in a senseless act of campus violence. Twenty-seven young, gifted graduate and undergraduate students died that day, two in Ambler Johnston Residence Hall, toward the south side of campus, and 25 more in Norris Hall, toward the north. Five dedicated professors also perished in Norris Hall along with their students, all done by a deranged student. Dozen more students and members of the faculty and staff were injured or traumatized.
The 32 Original Hokie StonesDedicated on August 19, 2007, this memorial recreates 32 Hokie Stones placed on the Drillfield in the hours after the tragedy by the student-run volunteer organization Hokies United. Friends and classmates spontaneously arranged the stones in a semicircle, honoring each person slain, and the 32 stones quickly became a gathering place to mourn, to pay respects, and to reflect on the lives of these vibrant scholars taken from our midst. These stones became the inspiration for this permanent memorial, physically reflecting the unmitigated sorrow felt by our campus, by their loved ones, and by people the world over.
The Permanent MemorialThis memorial honors each of the 32 people killed that day. Each person's name is carved here in Hokie Stone, a native limestone that has been part of Virginia Tech tradition for more than a century. This special stone is used to symbolize the enduring bond of our Hokie Nation, its relentless spirit, our commitment to move forward as one community, and our determination to never forget the 32 people who died that morning.
Remembering The VictimsOur memorial brochure tells a little about these 32 students and faculty members. They ranged in age from 18 to 76 and represented a variety of academic areas, along with nearly every major faith and ethnic group. The brochure biographies begin with the farthest left stone as you face the memorial and continue around the semicircle to the right. You can learn more at www.werember.vt.edu. We hope that you are able to reflect on the tremendous promise each of them embodied for our world and that you take with you a little of their creativity, intelligence, humility, and humanity when you depart. Live for 32.
Nicole Regina WhiteSmithfield, Virginia
20 years old
Daniel Patrick O'NeilLincoln, Rhode Island
23 years old
Matthew Gregory GwaltneyChesterfield, Virginia
24 years old
Ross A. AlameddineSaugus, Massachusetts
20 years old
Reema Joseph SamahaCentreville, Virginia
18 years old
Caitlin Millar HammarenWesttown, New York
19 years old
Rachael Elizabeth HillGlen Allen, Virginia
18 year sold
Waleed Mohamed ShaalanZagazig, Egypt
31 years old
Matthew Joseph La PorteDumont, New Jersey
20 years old
Jocelyne Couture-NowakBlacksburg, Virignia
49 years old
Leslie Geraldine ShermanSpringfield, Virginia
20 years old
Juan Ramon Ortiz-OrtizBayam?n, Puerto Rico
26 years old
Kevin P. GranataBlacksburg, Virginia
45 years old
Jarrett Lee LaneNarrows, Virginia
22 years old
Christopher James BishopBlacksburg, Virginia
35 years old
Maxine Shelly TurnerVienna, Virginia
22 years old
Minal Hiralal PanchalMumbia, India
26 years old
Ryan Christopher ClarkMartinez, Georgia
22 years old
Emily Jane HilscherWoodville, Virginia
18 years old
G.V. LoganathanBlacksburg, Virginia
52 years old
Mary Karen ReadAnnandale, Virginia
19 years old
Jeremy Michael HerbstrittBellefonte, Pennsylvania
23 years old
Partahi Mamora Halomoan LumbantoruanJakarta, Indonesia
34 years old
Daniel Alejandro Perez CuevaWoodbridge, Virginia
21 years old
Julia Kathleen PrydeMiddleton, New Jersey
23 years old
Erin Nicole PetersonCentreville, Virginia
18 years old
Austin Michelle CloydBlacksburg, Virginia
18 years old
Liviu LibrescuBlacksburg, Virginia
76 years old
Henry J. Lee (Henh Ly)Roanoke, Virginia
20 years old
Michael Steven Pohle, Jr.Flemington, New Jersey
23 years old
Lauren Ashley McCainHampton, Virginia
20 years old
Brian R. BluhmCedar Rapids, Iowa
25 years old
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