NIU Shootings

NIU Memorializes Slain Students

DEKALB, Ill. (CBS) ― Classes start again Monday at Northern Illinois University for the first time since the February 14th shooting that claimed the lives of five students.

Sunday, a campus service was held to celebrate the victim's lives. Above the building there were posted lyrics from the school's song: "Forward, together, forward" – encouraging the student body to move ahead in the wake of the tragedy. 

More than 12,000 people packed an auditorium and an adjoining gymnasium to find comfort and inspiration as they cope with the deaths of five NIU students and the injury of dozens of others.

Students, teachers, DeKalb residents and elected officials packed the NIU Sports Arena. On the stage sat five flower arrangements in honor of each of the students who were murdered in their classroom Feb. 14.

The wife of the school's president, Barbara Peters, read the names of each victim and their photos were displayed on large screens in memoriam. A choir sang the gospel hymn, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord."

"Each of us can make the memory of those we lost a blessing by capturing some of their promise, decency, innocence and holding that next to our hearts," Gov. Rod Blagojevich said.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary read a statement on behalf of President Bush.

"'Our entire nation stands with you as you recover from this tragic event,'" Michael Leavitt said.

That was a recurring theme of the service – how the nation has embraced NIU.

Sen. Dick Durbin described what has happened at NIU in the last 10 days.

"If there are any who question the capacity of our people to love and the courage to face tragedy squarely -- I say come to DeKalb, Illinois," Durbin said.

Barack Obama left the campaign trail to attend the service, but he did not speak. Afterward, he met quietly with the family of at least one of the victims.

"This past week, I have seen despair and I have seen hope," NIU President John G. Peters said. "I have seen deep sorrow of the five victims' families, but I have seen your courage and I have seen your strength." 

For many students, honoring the dead was an important final step.

"We're banning together to honor the ones that died and to pray for the ones that are still working their way through it and everyone else that is coping; I feel this is one of the better things that we are doing to help our school," said student Whitley Cole.

"I just think that since this happened there is more a sense of community here, students are more together now since it happened to all of us," said student Jenna Thiele.

Students reacted to the memorial event in their own ways. Some told CBS 2 they felt comforted just being with others who share their grief and many told us they feel ready to get back to learning Monday.

"Every memorial has just been really healing and all the words of hope," said student Kerri Simons. "It's gonna be tough, but we're gonna get through it."

"It gives you a new perspective on life -- every day counts," student Todd Trexler said.

Their alma mater was altered at the memorial service – normally it's sung: "Let out cheers resound for Northern, hail NIU."

Sunday, the song ended with the words: "Let our tears fall one by one and heal NIU."

There were many tears as students remembered the promising young lives that ended 10 days ago inside Cole Hall – a place where so many students attended class and which will remain closed.

"It's still something that's in the back of your mind, but you've got to go back," student Lauren Bytner said.

Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gee-Hant, Ryanne Mace, and Dan Parmenter were peers to these young people and their deaths have touched even those who did not know them personally.

"Just seeing everyone come together and knowing that those were someone's children, it's hard," said student Stephanie Schott.

"I think I will definitely reach out more to students and my peers," said student Crystal Schutte. "It's just sad to know one day they're here and then another they won't be."

"This didn't need to happen to students at NIU and I really feel deeply for everything that happened to these people," said student Laura Belletini.

"For all of those who seek healing, your presence here tonight wraps us in a warm embrace and reminds us that we are not alone," Peters told the students, faculty members, staff and community members in the audience.

"We are not islands, but bridges -- bridges to each other, and bridges to the world," Peters said. "In the days and weeks ahead, let our message to the world be one of hope, let it be one of healing and the indomitable Huskie spirit. In the end, that is how all of us can honor the memories of five beautiful young people who are not with us this evening."

Blagojevich talked briefly about each victim: Daniel Parmenter, 20, remembered by an adviser as a "gentle giant"; Catalina Garcia, 20, who wanted to be a teacher; Gayle Dubowski, 20, a gifted musician; Ryanne Mace, 19, who wanted to be a counselor; and Julianna Gehant, 32, a military veteran.

Twenty-year-old Maria Ruiz-Santana will go home Monday. She sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso during the shootings. The two other shooting victims treated at Good Samaritan Hospital were released last week.

"Now they are lost, but still loved. Their memory is a blessing -- not just because of their spirit and intelligence, their love and their laughter, their curiosity and their friendship," Blagojevich said. "Their memory is a blessing because it compels us all to search for meaning."

The service ended with the members of the crowd asked to turn on small flashlights they were provided. The lights in the arena were turned off while a choir sang the NIU school song.

The school asked faculty and staff to return last week to receive training in how to help students adjust to the changed atmosphere at NIU, which has an enrollment of about 25,000 students.

In addition to some 550 counselors -- expected to staff each classroom, academic department and dormitory -- the student counseling center is extending its hours indefinitely. Professors are also adjusting their curriculum to allow grieving students time to adjust.

Plans for a memorial for the victims are still in their infancy. No decision has been made on the future of Cole Hall, where the shooting took place, but it will be closed for the rest of the semester.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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