Westminster College President Comments on Virginia Tech Tragedy 

April 17, 2007

Dear Westminster Campus Community,

As I’m sure you are aware, our fellow students, faculty and staff at Virginia Tech University experienced a senseless tragedy on their campus yesterday. We wish to send our deepest condolences to the Virginia Tech community as they begin the long process of healing from this heartbreaking and disquieting event.

In moments like this each of us asks ourselves questions in an attempt to make sense out of both the terrible loss and our own fear that something equally tragic could happen on our campus. We are deeply concerned for those in the Westminster community who may have a friend or family member who has been touched directly by the Virginia Tech tragedy and may need our support or assistance at this terrible time. For anyone who has been impacted by this event and would like assistance dealing with it, please contact our Kathy Tyler Couillard 832-2237 or Jeff Bell 832-2246 in our Counseling Center.

Most importantly, while historically Westminster College has been a safe environment for learning, I want to assure you that we are closely following this event to gain new knowledge and insight into how we might further strengthen our own campus safety efforts for the future.

Sincerely,

Michael Bassis