More than 200 Dickinson College students and community members participated in a wind-swept candlelight vigil Tuesday night in front of Old West. The event coincided with campus vigils across the nation, including Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where 33 died in a shooting rampage Monday.

Participants signed a condolence book, which will be sent to Virginia Tech. Students and community members spoke of how the shootings affected them. John M. Miyahara, director of community service and religious life, opened the vigil with a prayer.

Maurice Joseph '09 sang George Harrison's "Isn't it a Pity." New York City musicians Paula Larke and Kim Nimoy performed two pieces and led a pledge of non violence. Emily Chudy '08 gave the closing prayer. President William G. Durden asked participants to reflect upon how the Amish community, in response to the fatal schoolhouse shooting in Lancaster County last fall, recognized the value of all life, even that of the killer.

Earlier in the day, the campus gathered for a moment of silence to remember the shooting victims.