Great words here from the authors of the Egonomics blog:

During [yesterday's Virginia Tech] assembly, Dr. Nikki Giovanni, Professor of English at the University, delivered a powerful poem. One line of that poem read: “We are better than we think, and not quite what we want to be.” That is a near perfectpainting of humility. Humility reminds us how far we have come, and at the same time how far we have yet to go. Our progress, and the difference we can make whether measured individually or collectively, largely rests on ourdevelopment of that one trait. If we miss the first or last phrase in the poetic line from Dr. Giovanni, then we fail to understand the real power of humility. Our prayers and thoughts are with those student’s families, friends, and everyone affected by a tragedy that there is no language or vocabulary to adequately describe.

I agree. The challenge of authentic humility, I think, is to balance courage and compassion at the same time. It is a high calling and a worthwhile challenge.

I support this idea:

Silence can say more then a thousand words… On April 30th, 2007, the Blogosphere will hold a One-Day Blog Silence in honor towards the victims of Virginia. 33 died at the US college massacre… This day shall unite us all about this unbelievable painful & shocking event and show some respect and love to those who lost their loved ones… The Blogosphere is in deep mourning.

Update: Steli Efti is one of the people behind this creative and heartfelt effort.

A student blogger is weighing in on this morning’s events:

Right now the number is 22 dead and 28 wounded and that includes one shooter dead. They believe he/she acted alone, but that is not confirmed. There is no apparent motive currently other than they believe the shooting at West AJ this morning was a man shooting his girlfriend and Resident Advisor.

From all reports, this is the worst school shooting ever. School is closed today and tomorrow and there is supposed to be some type of service in Cassell Coliseum tomorrow at noon.

If you have family or something that you want to reunite with, they are telling everyone to go to the Inn at VT off Prices Fork Road. Also, if you call someone and do not get them; do not be automatically alarmed. The cell towers are jammed like crazy, so it may be difficult to get through.
I will keep everyone updates as much as possible, but it hard to say how long it will take to fully grasp what has happened.

The Virginia Tech student newspaper, The Collegiate Times, is publishing text updates via its parent company Web site.

Update:A Nashvillian who visited Blacksburg over the weekend has shared her thoughts. A graduate student at VT is also blogging. The Tennessean is looking for local VT alumni to interview.

I have visited Blacksburg, Virginia, a few times in the past and found it to be a sleepy college town in the midst of lovely countryside between Roanoke and Bristol. The scene there today is much different, and I can’t imagine what it must be like for those who are there. From Charles Steger, President of Virginia Tech, via the Wikinews page now attributed to this tragedy:

Today, the university was struck with a tragedy we consider to be of monumental proportion. There were two shootings which occurred on campus. In each case, there are fatalities. The university is shocked, and indeed horrified. I want to extend my deepest and most sincere and profound sympathies to the families of these victims, which include our students.

At about 7:15 this morning, a 9-1-1 call came to the university Police Department concerning an event in West Ambler Johnston Hall. There were multiple shooting victims. While in the process of investigating, about two hours later, the university received reports of a shooting at Norris Hall. The police immediately responded. The shooter in Norris Hall is deceased. There are multiple fatalities. The number of fatalities has not been confirmed, victims have been transported to various hospitals in the immediate area and the region to receive emergency treatment. We will proceed to notify the next of kin as the victims’ identities are available.

Based on the lives lost, this incident is already beginning to remind me of Columbine. I hope that the proximity of its anniversary (April 20, 1999) has not factored in this event. I am saddened to see so many lives change so suddenly for such a senseless reason, and I am saddened to see another community arriving at “one-word” status when it comes to invoking memories of terrible events.