#UCCstrong: Students welcomed back with support after shooting

Their actions have increased the vulnerability of our students, faculty and staff to firearm violence.

Harper-Mercer has been described as having asked victims their religion before he shot them, which troubled many people in Roseburg and beyond.

About 30 people attended, including MHCC student Estera Apreotesi.

“And we’ve been texting each other in group chats and making sure everyone is safe”, she said.

“I’m just scared going into my classes”, said UCC student Gracie Cooksey. Volunteers and comfort dogs will be on hand to provide support.

MHCC ‘s president, Debbie Derr, spoke with emotion and sympathy. What do families do when there’s a tragedy or when there’s a crisis?

“We’re remembering and honoring the victims and their families”, said Crissy Nutt, who led the solemn occasion in Asheboro. We live in a society that has made a decision to stand idle in the face of a culture and laws that are welcoming to a system that allows easy accessibility to guns. We go there to become better ourselves and better people in our community.

The AP looked at public colleges and universities in more than 40 states after yet another shooting rampage, the killing of nine people at an Oregon community college October 1.

“Michelle Cochran, student life advisor, then encouraged those attending to sign three large cards placed on nearby tables and encouraged everyone to show their support with photographs of themselves holding “I am UCC” posters laid out on another table and posting them with the hashtag “#I AMUCC”.

I say trained because while Americans are privy to the God-granted right of the Second Amendment, you still have to know how to use a weapon properly and not do something stupid.

On Thursday, the New York Times noted President Barack Obama’s outrage on yet another mass shooting in the country.

“I’ve got a few very strong feelings about this”, Obama said, adding that these occasions always remind him that anyone could be the victim. Members of The Channels Editorial Board agree that it is essential to regain this sense of security among our peers by eradicating the stigma against mental illnesses, enforcing tighter gun regulations and promoting services on campus that inform students on how they can prepare for unsafe situations. “What would our strategy be?” That school is about our size, they have a similar role and mission and array of programs.

After all, those leaders on campus are responsible for the safety and security of students in the end. They will report anything suspicious, unusual or obviously threatening to the Public Safety Department.

As the community comes to terms with its grief, pastors have been at the forefront of helping victims’ families cope.