We are Virginia Tech: John King

As Virginia Tech marks the 10-year commemoration of April 16, 2007, members of our community are sharing their reflections. We recognize these words may bring forth personal memories of the tragedy that affected our campus so deeply. While these posts serve as a reflection rather than a recounting, be aware that they may contain potentially distressing material. 

Today, we'll hear from John King, an alumnus and former Virginia Tech employee who worked in Norris Hall 10 years ago.

Amazingly, in a world made up of more than seven billion people, sometimes it’s easy to forget that you’re not alone.

I was in Norris Hall on April 16, 2007. As Assistant Development Director for the College of Engineering, I was part of the Dean’s staff located on the third floor. Despite the outside door three stories directly below my office being chained shut, my colleagues and myself were not the targets on that tragic day.

My memories of April 16 are fragmented. I vividly recall seeing a student walk along the sidewalk in front of the building as students jumped out of windows while gunfire erupted, all the while oblivious to what was going on because of the headphones in her ears. I remember being escorted out of the building by SWAT team members and running as fast as I could to the safety of Randolph Hall. While in a classroom with students, I remember staring in disbelief at the TV while CNN announced the totality of the shootings. Finally, I remember embracing my future wife, both of us numb with disbelief and sadness.

As a Development Officer, my primary job responsibility was to meet with alumni to secure donations for the university. As part of that, I met individually with alums across the state and country, often more than 20 times per month. Raising money for my alma mater was one of the most rewarding things of my life, and I was constantly humbled by the generosity of our alumni.

When I set out on my first trip months after the shooting, I was still struggling with the effects of that day. I often had difficulty sleeping and had horrible nightmares. It wasn’t until after my first one-on-one visit with one of our alums that I realized that I would have to re-live April 16 in all of my meetings, something that was extraordinarily difficult.

I decided that when I met with alums I would be completely honest about my experience and not sugarcoat it. It soon became clear that this was the exact kind of “therapy” that I needed. I was blessed to meet with people who treated me almost as if I was their own son. There were many tears, hugs, and difficult moments. Having to talk about it day after day with such compassionate and caring people helped me deal with the tragedy and help me come to grips with why I was spared.

The ironic part of such a horrific tragedy is that it’s given me so many positive memories ranging from acts of heroism to unbelievable kindness from new acquaintances. That is where I put my focus each year April 16 is marked on the calendar.

Now, living in Charleston, South Carolina, I’m occasionally asked if Virginia Tech really is as close-knit as it’s often described by our local alums. My response is a resounding “yes,” but when I’m asked to describe why, I’m at a loss for words. I believe it’s something people have to experience to fully understand and, when people say the Virginia Tech community is a family, it’s not just a cliché. It’s very much a true statement, and I’m forever thankful that I’m part of it.