Illuminated by candles, students and faculty members huddled together for warmth and support for those affected by the Northern Illinois University shooting. As candles were passed around a 30-person group Wednesday, the crowd began to quiet down as the organizers sorrowfully started to speak.
Sophomore elementary education major Zach Brubaker said Student Government Association and Dining helped sponsor and organize the event.
Communication studies major Sarah Wiley followed with a moment of silence for the victims and their families.
"It has been less than a year since we came here to remember the students at Virginia Tech, and we are here again to remember so many people that meant so much and the family and friends that remain," Kay Bales, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, said.
"We need each other," Brubaker said. "NIU is in the Mac Ten brotherhood, and now we need to put aside our records and support them."
Students then shared their thoughts and feelings about the shooting during the hour-long event.
Senior history major Alex Carroll said the recent incident of students playing with guns in Bracken Library was an example of how innocent things could possibly be a serious situation.
"Ball State offers many safety services," Bales said. "Your safety is our first priority."
"We are all college students, and we are all the same," Brubaker said. "This could happen to anyone."
After the crowd sang "Amazing Grace" in unison, they filed into Bracken to sign a table-sized banner. Brubaker and Wiley said the banner would be sent to NIU later this week.
Wiley said she incorporated the candlelight vigil to the shootings with an analogy.
"We are the light in a dark room; we are hope," she said.
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