Condolences and Remembrance
April 23, 2007
New Mexico State University expresses its deepest condolences to the Virginia Tech family for the tragic loss of so many talented individuals in last week’s shooting. This touches each of us because we also are members of the higher education community and know how we value each student, teacher and staff member on our own campuses. We hold the victims’ families and friends in our hearts as well.
We will have a remembrance ceremony for the students at NMSU whom we lost this year and during that time we will honor Virginia Tech, unite with your grief and hopefully start the healing process we know will take much time. Our ceremony is at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, in the second-floor lobby of Corbett Center. We are encouraging all members of the NMSU community to attend.
Our students, faculty and staff have shared their feelings on posters and banners displayed around campus. These will be forwarded over the coming days. Meanwhile, for those among us who may need assistance following this traumatic event, our counseling center and student health center are available.
Sincerely,
Michael Martin
President, NMSU
President Martin's letter on the Virginia Tech tragedy
April 18, 2007
Dear Aggie community,
The tragedy at Virginia Tech touches each of us in a special way because we, too, are a university community. Upon learning of this incident, I immediately sent a personal message to President Charles Steger and offered to help in any way we can. Here at home, we encouraged our campuses to observe a moment of silence Tuesday, in concert with the convocation at Virginia Tech, to commemorate the victims of Monday’s horror. I know many of you stood with the nation as President Bush expressed his grief for all of us. We also are working with ASNMSU on potential ways the student body can personally express its heartfelt concerns.
At the same time, I want to assure our students, faculty and staff that we have and are continuing to work with our Police Department and other emergency services to ensure personal safety. Over the past year we have conducted table-top drills meant to add to that security and safety.
We also know that this event can be traumatic even to those of us far from the scene. Help is available for those who may be directly or indirectly affected by the incident.
Counselors and physicians at the Student Counseling Center (646-2731), the Student Health Center (646-1512), the University Employee Health Center (646-6600), and the Employee Assistance Program (646-6603) are available to you.
Sincerely,
Michael Martin,
President