Ferrum College News - Ferrum College Honors the Memory of Virginia Tech Professor During Annual Day of Remembrance and Promise Ceremony

The Ferrum College Community will come together on November 1st for “A Day of Remembrance and Promise” in memory of the Holocaust and its survivors. The theme of the event, “Remembering the Gifted Among Us,” will commemorate the life of Professor Liviu Librescu, a Virginia Tech teacher and Holocaust survivor, who died while attempting to protect his students during the Virginia Tech tragedy on April 16th. A dwarf nandina plant and bronze plaque, purchased with generous donations from the campus community, will be placed in the college’s Holocaust Garden at 6:00 p.m. during a special candle lighting and dedication ceremony. The plaque will read:

In Honor of Professor Liviu Librescu
Holocaust Survivor
He gave his life for his students
Virginia Tech
April 16, 2007

George Loveland, Associate Professor of Library Science, spearheaded the memorial for Professor Librescu because he says his actions on April 16th lie close to the heart of Ferrum’s motto: “Not Self, But Others.” “It’s what makes Professor Librescu’s life so poignant.” Loveland says. “As a very young man, released from a Nazi work camp … (he) must have felt bitter … somehow, though, he chose life instead; he threw in his lot with those of us who believe that education is a force of light in a sometimes dark and brutal world. And finally, toward the end of that life and service, when confronted with evil once again, he willingly gave up his life ... for his students.”

After the dedication, a candlelight march will proceed into the Panther’s Den of Franklin Hall. There, Holocaust survivor and artist, Mark Strauss, will give a special presentation of his story as a survivor. Pieces of his art will be on display and refreshments will be served.

Ferrum College has offered an interdisciplinary Holocaust course since 1999. It examines the history and lessons of the Holocaust from sociological, religious, historical, and literary points of view. One of the course’s primary goals is to encourage students to think about the social and political forces that breed genocide, and to help them identify and resist these forces when they creep into their own society. A part of this process involves personal reflection. “What can I do? What am I morally obligated to do when those in positions of authority use their power to oppress others?” And more generally, “How should I respond when I witness evil?”

For more information on this special program, please contact George Loveland at (540) 365-4427 gloveland@ferrum.edu or Marcia Horn at (540) 365-4328 mhorn@ferrum.edu

Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Ferrum offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs at a cost well below the national average for private colleges. For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu.

*Ferrum College Honors the Memory of Virginia Tech Professor During Annual Day of Remembrance and Promise* Ceremony**
For immediate release: October 24, 2007 » Download Poster (PDF)	Contact: Natalie Faunce, (540) 365-4301 nfaunce@ferrum.edu
The Ferrum College Community will come together on November 1st for “A Day of Remembrance and Promise” in memory of the Holocaust and its survivors. The theme of the event, “Remembering the Gifted Among Us,” will commemorate the life of Professor Liviu Librescu, a Virginia Tech teacher and Holocaust survivor, who died while attempting to protect his students during the Virginia Tech tragedy on April 16th. A dwarf nandina plant and bronze plaque, purchased with generous donations from the campus community, will be placed in the college’s Holocaust Garden at 6:00 p.m. during a special candle lighting and dedication ceremony. The plaque will read: In Honor of Professor Liviu Librescu Holocaust Survivor He gave his life for his students Virginia Tech April 16, 2007 George Loveland, Associate Professor of Library Science, spearheaded the memorial for Professor Librescu because he says his actions on April 16th lie close to the heart of Ferrum’s motto: “Not Self, But Others.” “It’s what makes Professor Librescu’s life so poignant.” Loveland says. “As a very young man, released from a Nazi work camp … (he) must have felt bitter … somehow, though, he chose life instead; he threw in his lot with those of us who believe that education is a force of light in a sometimes dark and brutal world. And finally, toward the end of that life and service, when confronted with evil once again, he willingly gave up his life ... for his students.” After the dedication, a candlelight march will proceed into the Panther’s Den of Franklin Hall. There, Holocaust survivor and artist, Mark Strauss, will give a special presentation of his story as a survivor. Pieces of his art will be on display and refreshments will be served. Ferrum College has offered an interdisciplinary Holocaust course since 1999. It examines the history and lessons of the Holocaust from sociological, religious, historical, and literary points of view. One of the course’s primary goals is to encourage students to think about the social and political forces that breed genocide, and to help them identify and resist these forces when they creep into their own society. A part of this process involves personal reflection. “What can I do? What am I morally obligated to do when those in positions of authority use their power to oppress others?” And more generally, “How should I respond when I witness evil?” For more information on this special program, please contact George Loveland at (540) 365-4427 gloveland@ferrum.edu or Marcia Horn at (540) 365-4328 mhorn@ferrum.edu Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Ferrum offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs at a cost well below the national average for private colleges. For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu.
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