America was thrust into mourning little less than a year ago by the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech when a lone gunman went on a rampage through the campus, eventually taking the lives of 32 other people. A campus was wounded that day, unlike anything that had ever been seen before. But yesterday, the terrible memories of that April morning have been supplanted by a tragedy that has hit close to home.

Northern Illinois University is reeling after a man opened fire in a lecture hall Thursday, wounding many and murdering six people before taking his own life. This kind of barbarism is hard enough to describe in words, let alone cope with. Trying to understand what goes through the mind of someone who commits such a crime is to try to find logic where there is none.

In the absence of logic, our emotions consume us. We grieve for the victims and their families, we hate those who are responsible, we grow frustrated with our seeming helplessness and above all, we fear that what has struck others could be visited upon us.

The story of the day will no doubt be why someone would do such a thing. Institutions, including this one, will grapple yet again with how to secure themselves in the face of random madness. But amongst the fear, the confusion and the grief, a community must heal.

In this time of sadness, we want the NIU community to know that our thoughts and our prayers are with them.

The road back to normalcy -- if such a state exists at all - will be long and treacherous. Never will students, faculty and staff look at the DeKalb campus in the same way again. But it won't be the only college reassessing its view of the world. All of us here in Champaign-Urbana will be with them.

We will be with them as the days pass and as the unspeakable pain slowly fades. We will be with them as they search for the solutions to difficult problems and the answers to unthinkable questions. And we will certainly be with them as they deal with one of the defining moments of their lives.

While the next few days will hold grief and heartache, the future remains unwritten.

We say that now is the time to celebrate those who are no longer with us and those who were struck down as they bettered themselves so that they could better the world.

We will not allow the memories of this terrible day to overshadow the memories of their lives.

To a degree, college students everywhere share a special bond. Today, we want the NIU community to know that bond it shares with the Illini nation - and with students across the nation - grows stronger in the face of adversity.

Quotes from University leaders

"This is so tragic and hits so close to home. I know all of our hearts went out to the students at Virginia Tech last year, and I am sure, especially because many students here have friends and family at NIU, that this appalling news touches us all just as deeply. Now, more than ever, it reminds us of the importance of focusing on our campus safety and an emergency alert system for students." Sarah Losh, President, Student Alumni Ambassadors

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the NIU community today. While it is a comfort to know that the University of Illinois has already taken steps to enhance the emergency alert system on our own campus, I hope that the conversation continues and even more precautions can be taken. Today, we should take time to contact our friends at NIU to share our sympathies and to provide any support possible at this tragic moment." Leslie Cornell, President, Illini Union Board

"Anytime a tragedy of this magnitude occurs, we realize how fragile human life is. When it occurs only hours away, to people we know and care about, the impact is significantly more profound. Our council will work actively with our members and the entire campus community to ensure we are as safe and well prepared as possible should tragedy strike. Most importantly, our deepest sympathies go out to the NIU community. Our campuses share much more than a common name - you are friends, family and co-workers - and you are all in our prayers." Peter Logli, President, Interfraternity Council

"It is truly a tragedy when one member of a community chooses to needlessly endanger the lives of others. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students, faculty and administration of the Northern Illinois University as well as the families of the victims during this time of great tragedy." Justin Randall, President, Illinois Student Senate

"All of us at the University of Illinois extend our condolences and support to the members of the Northern Illinois University community at the time of this tragedy. We are at a loss for words to fully express our feelings of shock and sorrow and outrage. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. Life is precious. Life is fragile. Life must go on." B. Joseph White, President, University of Illinois

"Our hearts go out to all those affected by the horrific tragedy at Northern. While just as appalling as Virginia Tech, this occurrence is even more so unnerving being close to home and involving many friends and family of members of our campus community. While right now is the time to peacefully mourn this catastrophic loss of life, the future will hopefully bring about a proactive look at the factors leading to these terrifying recurrences and ways for our campus to further improve its response. Our deepest sympathies." Jackie Wincek, President, Panhellenic Council