Ever Grateful, Ever True

Tuesday started off just like any other day.  I forced myself out of my warm covers, took a shower and went to my senior design team meeting.  I eventually went back to my apartment to eat lunch and do some homework.  After a couple hours of being unproductive, I glanced at the clock which read just after noon.  I debated going to campus early to get some work done but ultimately decided to take a quick nap before my next class which was in the electrical engineering building.

Five minutes later, my phone and computer started making noises.  My friend, Andy, was telling me about his most recent China escapades while some of my friends at Purdue were messaging about a shooting on campus.

... shooting on campus??  I was immediately jolted into a panic.  This is the kind of thing that happens on the news in some far off place, not on my college campus.  I called Andy on Google hangouts to have a friendly face to talk with during this difficult time.  I then immediately locked the door, shut the blinds and pulled up my email, the local police scanner, and opened the Purdue Twitter, Facebook and Reddit pages to scan for updates.

Over the next hour, I nervously waited for more information to come in.  Texts and calls were going back and forth between friends, checking to make sure everyone was safe.  The majority of my ME friends were on lock-down in the ME building, just 20 steps from EE.  Finally, around 1:30, a press conference announced that lock-down was lifted and campus could return to "normal operations".  No official statement could be made yet regarding the events that had happened, all we knew is that two students were involved in the incident.  One shooter, who had been quickly apprehended by the police, and his victim, a TA for the ECE 362 course.  A candlelight vigil was set for 8pm at the Engineering Fountain.

My roommates arrived back at our apartment shortly after that.  We all had different survival stories from the day, but really all we could say was "glad you're safe."  Later that evening, we went to the Co-rec to blow off some steam.  Looking at the faces of the students there, it was obvious they were all stressed from the day's ordeal.  When 6pm hit, everything suddenly stopped.  With bated breath, we paid close attention to the second press conference as the names of the two students were announced.  The shooter, an ECE student named Cody Cousins, didn't look familiar.  On the other hand, the victim, did: Andrew Boldt was his name.

Tuesday evening - over 2,000 students, faculty and staff gathered in -2° weather to support each other

Our candles that we left on the engineering fountain

This past week was the most difficult time of my college career.  Even though I didn't know either Cody or Andrew, this event hit way too close to home.  One of my friends had met Cody before and I had  many friends who knew Andrew.  Not to mention the whole thing happened 3 blocks from my apartment in a place that I've called home over the past few years.  My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by the tragedy this past week.

I had always known that the Boilermaker family was a strong community, but this week we became even more unified.  Andrew's death has brought us all closer together as we lean on each other for support.   Images of a Purdue P superimposed on a black ribbon have been circulating social media networks.  Texts, phone calls, Skype, Facebook messages and emails from friends and family all across campus, the country and the world were sent to West Lafayette, all expressing concern and hope for better days.  It is so powerful to know that people are on your side, wishing you all the best in such a difficult time.  I just came back from a weekend at Andy's home where we enjoyed peace, quiet (I slept 12 hours on Friday, more than I've had all week), home-cooked meals and a chance to escape from campus.  Now I'm feeling much stronger than before, ready for the next phase of the healing process.

This sign appeared Wednesday on I-65

Thursday, first day back to class

 After classes on Friday

As in the lyrics to "Hail Purdue," we are "ever grateful, ever true" to the supportive and loyal Purdue Boilermaker family.  Rest in peace, Andrew Boldt.


Hearfelt letter from Professor David Meyer, Andrew's supervising professor.

Homily from Father Nathan Reesman, Andrew's home parish.