Letter, Whitney Olsen to Charles Steger, October 1, 2007 (Ms2008-020)

Letter, Whitney Olsen to Charles Steger, October 1, 2007 (Ms2008-020)

Letter of condolence from Whitney Olsen to Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger, Jr.

Ms2008-020_B283_F10_2007_1001

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Virginia Tech April 16, 2007 Archives of the University Libraries, Ms2008-020, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

October 1, 2007

Dear Dr. Charles W. Steger,

My name is Whitney Olsen, I am a 20 year old college student attending Utah
Valley State College. I know that this is not the first letter you have received with
messages relating towards your school and the atrocity that happened in April and that
you probably still receive many a day but I hope you will take the time to read mine.

In April 2007 I was attending Utah State University. It was a cold morning and I
was watching the news eating a bowl of cereal when I first heard that there had been a
shooting at your school. I watched in silence as the broad casters spoke. I could not
believe it. I went to my classes that day un able to take my thoughts way from what had
happened. Over the next few days I read countless articles on it, watched the news and
talked to my friends about it. Even though I live thousands of miles away I was very
very struck by what had happened. I wanted to help. I wanted to some how let your
students know that even though I did not know them and they did not know me, it did not
matter. I was a fellow university student and my heart reached out to them in their time of
need.

Enclosed with this letter you will find my C.D. I am a singer/song writer and I
knew I had to write a song for your school and some how get it there after I heard what
had happened. Thanks to the wonderful opportunity I had to fly to Orlando, Florida and
perform in front of an audience of 5,000 I was able to record some songs including the
one dedicated to Virginia Tech. It has always been my hope and wish that some how I
would get to share it with the students of your school. My heart was touched by the
many people who walked up to me after I sang it in Florida, sharing with me their
connections to your school. Some said they would show the song to the kids who
attended there. I hope they get to hear it, but I thought that by sending a copy to you, you
could some how help me in getting it into the hands of your students. The song is titled
"Our Prayer". I have many copies of the CD if you are interested in helping me spread
this song to your students. It was the only gift I could offer being so far away but I hope
the words will touch your heart. Thank you so much for your time and God bless.

Whitney Olsen