Rename Norris Hall to Librescu Hall

On April 16th, 2007, Cho Seung-Hui, a student of Virginia Tech, senselessly murdered 32 students and teachers before taking his own life. His shooting spree lasted over 2 hours, and when it was all over, the fabric of our lives, our families, and the families of our friends, neighbours and fellow students were ripped apart.

We then learned of the heroic acts of Dr. Liviu Librescu, our beloved Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics. When the second shooting began, Dr. Librescu instructed his students to leave the room, and blocked the door with his body. As the last students escaped the room through a second floor window, Cho Seung-Hui shot and killed Dr. Librescu through the very door he was barricading. The greatest irony behind his death is that Librescu, a Holocaust survivor from Romania, died on Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Martyrs Remembrance Day.

Had it not been for the brave and selfless acts of Dr. Librescu, many more families would have been torn apart that day. We should forever remember the heroism of our dear professor, acts that saved the lives of many. There are numerous ways in which we can do this, from bursaries to scholarships, to planting a tree or erecting a statue in his honor.

We, the undersigned, feel that the most fitting way to honor the memory of our dear professor is to rename Norris Hall to Librescu Hall. Norris Hall should not be allowed to remain synonymous with a place of darkness and terror. Renaming the building will begin the healing process and help us remember Dr. Librescu for what he truly was. A friend. A colleague. A hero among the ages.