Of Mourning and Hope

Sep 07, 2011

roses Seventy-seven roses graced the altar in the Centrum during a chapel service of mourning, hope and remembrance for the people of Norway. Each rose represented a life that was lost as a result of violence on July 22.

The dark chords of Grieg's "Mor Åses død" ("The Death of Ase"), played on the piano, filled the silence as the name and age of each victim lingered for a moment on the screen behind the stage.

Norwegians Bjørn Kvernstuen ’11, Vinstra, Norway, and Dr. Milda Halvorson, assistant professor of Norwegian and Scandinavian studies, offered remembrances.

roses2Kvernstuen lost two friends. He described them as students much like Cobbers, who woke up each morning considering how they might solve world issues.

Halvorson held her two-month-old daughter in her arms as she learned about the tragedy. She was overcome with sorrow for the victims and the world her daughter might grow up in, yet her response was one of change for the future.

"There is so much violence and hatred, but there is also love, compassion and tolerance," she said.

She urged the Concordia community to make a difference in whatever way they can. 

"Being responsibly engaged in the world can't be more important than it is today," she said.

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