Virginia Tech memorial service scheduled mid-week at MSU

Contact: Kenneth Billings

STARKVILLE, Miss.--The tragedy of campus shootings at Virginia Tech University will be remembered Wednesday at Mississippi State.

A memorial service at the Starkville land-grant institution is among numerous observances of the one-year anniversary being held April 16 throughout the United States.

MSU is joining with the local Virginia Tech Southeastern Mississippi Alumni Club to sponsor the noon service at the Chapel of Memories.

"This is an opportunity for our community to come together and show support for our colleagues, friends and others in the Virginia Tech family," said Noel Schulz, an MSU electrical and computer engineering associate professor and Virginia Tech alumna.

Jimmy Abraham, MSU associate vice president of development and alumni, will be among the speakers, said Schulz, who is helping organize the event. A candlelight vigil for those killed in the tragedy will conclude the program, she added.

Thirty-two people were killed and more than 20 wounded when the shooter, a student at the school, went on a rampage in two separate incidents during the morning of the 16th. He committed suicide after the second attack.

For more information, contact Schulz at 662-325-2020 or schulz@ece.msstate.edu.

For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.