Facts and Movement Toward Epideictic
Even during the earliest moments of speaking out, President Steger offered more than just the facts, just the bare chronology of events during these press conferences and interviews. He also offered personal interpretation, and words designed to move beyond facts. Although at this time subordinate to factual material, he did speak to the spirit and to the collective involvement of Virginia Tech students, faculty, staff, and alumni:
I want to repeat my horror and disbelief and profound sorrow at the events of today. People from around the world have experienced their shock and their sorrow and endless sadness that has transpired. I am really at a loss for words to explain or to understand the carnage that has visited our campus. I know no other way to speak about this, than to tell you what we know. It is now confirmed that we have 31 deaths from the Norris Hall, including the gunman. Fifteen other victims are being treated at local hospitals. . . . There are two confirmed deaths from the shooting in Ambler Johnston dormitory. . . . We have not confirmed the identity of the gunman, because he carried no identification. . . . And we are in the process of attempting identification. Norris Hall is a tragic and a sorrowful crime scene. And we are in the process of identifying victims and in the process of notifying next of kin. This may take some time. We will not release any names until we are positive of this notification. We anticipate being able to release a list some time tomorrow. Our investigation continues into whether there is a connection between the first and second incident. We know that parents will want to embrace their children."[37]
Asked about how Virginia Tech would move forward, Steger replied: “Well, I think we have to think very carefully about the process of healing and bringing this community back together. We’re going to be—we have dozens of meetings with students. We have a convocation tomorrow. And it’s going to be a long, difficult road for people to feel the same way about going in, particularly in the buildings where the shootings occurred where they’ve been in the past."[38]
He was asked later a question along similar lines: What “steps is Virginia Tech taking to deal with the psychological impact on Virginia Tech community and, you know, you guys, the regions all across the nation with the football and everything like that?"[39] President Steger: “We have set two counseling centers up. . . . I understand there’s a candlelight vigil being conducted later this evening. We have a convocation tomorrow. . . . We have our counseling center staff available and we’ll be holding other sessions. We’re trying to get an assessment of the number of people impacted. . . . It’s a very serious problem. At this point in time, we’re focusing our energies on the families—some of them are here right now—notifying them and working with them and helping the university community to heal itself."[40]
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