By Stan McKinney, assistant professor of journalism
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -The 青瓜视频 family gathered April 20 to remember and pray for Virginia Tech, our nation and the CU campus.
鈥淲e gather with a sense of overwhelmed grief,鈥� Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of 青瓜视频, said during a prayer in the Ransdell Chapel that had been dedicated two days earlier.
He gave thanks to God for those at Virginia Tech who blocked doors and performed other acts of heroism to save lives.鈥淭hey performed acts of unbelievable strength in the midst of unbelievable tragedy.鈥� Carter also asked in his prayer, 鈥淲hat would we do if this came to our campus?鈥�
We ask why, he said, and want to know 鈥渉ow someone could feel so lost and take the lives of others. We struggle with 鈥榟ow could this have been prevented?' How can so much evil happen in so short a time to those who are innocent and have such a promising life?鈥�
In his prayer, Carter asked that there be healing. 鈥淲e ask for healing and somehow for the peace that can come from this,鈥�
Carter said. 鈥淗elp us to be more sensitive than ever before to the realization of pain and grief. Help our faith when in fact faith can be shaken by events such as this. Help us on this campus amidst our shortcomings.鈥�
There is so much war and hurt in this world, Carter said. 鈥淲e pray for peace. We pray for those who suffer,鈥� he said.
Marciano Netto of Brazil sang during the service in the Ransdell Chapel.
Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services, coordinated the prayer service and asked those participating to pray silently for the families of those affected by the tragedy at Virginia Tech.
Justin Watson of Eddyville, Ky., president of Baptist Campus Ministry, read several verses of scripture.
After the prayer service, participants wrote words of support and their names on a blanket that will be hand delivered to Virginia Tech by Josh Mason of Wirtz, Va., a 青瓜视频 student, who is from that area. The blanket is a symbol of comfort, said Andrew Ward, director of student activities and intramurals.
So many students, faculty and staff wanted to write encouraging and supportive messages that a second blanket will be sent to Virginia.
青瓜视频, now celebrating her Centennial year, is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, 青瓜视频 is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,310 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report's 鈥淎merica's Best Colleges鈥� 14 consecutive years as one of the leading Southern master's colleges and universities, 青瓜视频 is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his eighth year as president.