Ross Alameddine

He was the son of Lynnette Alameddine and Dr. Abdallah Alameddine and brother of Yvonne Alameddine. From Saugus, Mass., formerly of Melrose, Mass., Ross was a 2005 graduate of Austin Preparatory School.

Ross enjoyed computer games and played them competitively. He beta-tested well-known games and even sold online characters. Before coming to Virginia Tech, he worked as a home-computer repair specialist.

Whether between classes or on nice days, Ross enjoyed rollerblading. He adored movies and music, played piano, and sang at Austin. Ross's fondness for language and voicing strong opinions was manifested through active participation in the French and Debate clubs at Austin.

The above qualities developed on Ross's journey through college. English instructor Brent Stevens writes, "He talked about his life, his emotions, his deep insights. . . . He put himself out there in front of 35 people, most of whom he did not know, . . . helping us to understand what we were reading and viewing with his unique perspective. . . . Knowing Ross Alameddine . . . sustains the belief that we all need so desperately right now: that there is good in this world."

Ross always sought to make others laugh and enjoy life. "From our first few days together in class," writes English instructor Robert Canter, "I remember thinking, 'Here's a man who's going to make his children laugh. Here is a man who deserves the title 'beloved.' Here's a man who, just by being himself, makes you a better person.'"

Christopher James "Jamie" Bishop

Jamie joined the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures as an instructor in 2005 and was also an instructor in the Faculty Development Institute.

He had a reputation as a techno guru and a passionate and gifted photographer. His art vibrantly captures the intensity with which he viewed the world and the beauty he found there. Jamie also designed book jacket covers and created multimedia science fiction art. He had planned to enter the B.F.A. program at Virginia Tech in fall 2007 to study graphic art.

Jamie hailed from the small town of Pine Mountain, Ga., and earned bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Georgia. He interned at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and then spent many years abroad. As a Fulbright Scholar, Jamie studied at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität in Kiel, Germany, and also worked as a freelance translator, German tutor, and teacher of English in Heidelberg.

A man of keen wit with a contagious enthusiasm for life, Jamie was an avid hiker, film connoisseur, and devoted fan of the Atlanta Braves.

Jamie shared the conviction that studying foreign languages and cultures is not only a joy but also fundamental to learning about and understanding humanity.

Brian Roy Bluhm

After enrolling in the civil engineering master's degree program at Tech, Brian served as a teacher's assistant and focused on water resources, with sustainability of water quantity using safe yield of a reservoir during a critical drought period as his main research area. He completed his degree in 2007.

Brian was a member of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Baptist Collegiate Ministries, among other organizations. His thirst for knowledge was endless and his interests wide-ranging, among them music, history, nature, and animals. His first love was for God, which he exemplified through his kindness, warm smile, memorable laugh, and friendliness, and he loved his family and friends.

Growing up, Brian was passionate about sports, particularly baseball, and his favorite team was the Detroit Tigers. He also loved Virginia Tech sports, especially football and basketball. He showed up for games in Virginia Tech colors to show his support.

Brian, who had passed the first section of his Professional Engineer exam, had recently accepted a position in the engineering firm Hatch Mott MacDonald in Hunt Valley, Md.

Brian would want to be remembered for his love of God, family, and friends, the Detroit Tigers, and Virginia Tech. He loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Ryan Christopher Clark

He grew up in Martinez, Ga., and graduated from Lakeside High School in May 2002. Ryan, who became interested in music when he was in the sixth grade, was a member of the Lakeside Marching Band and the Boy Scouts of America. He was active in many service organizations, including Communities in Schools of Augusta/Richmond County Teen Health Corps and Golden Harvest Food Bank. He was also a counselor and then the musical director at Camp Big Heart, where he spent two weeks every summer for the past eight years working with mentally impaired children.

At Virginia Tech, Ryan was a member of the Class of 2007 and was scheduled to receive his bachelor of science with a triple major in psychology, biology, and English at the 2007 Commencement. He planned to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience and wanted to work with the mentally impaired.

During his time as a Virginia Tech student, he was a distinguished campus leader. He played the baritone in the Marching Virginians and was a resident advisor in West Ambler Johnston Hall. He also was an advisor in the Imaginarium programming resource center and worked at West End Market.

Known to his friends as "Stack," Ryan leaves memories that will be forever cherished in the hearts of his immediate and extended family, band mates, residents of Ambler Johnston Hall, colleagues, and friends.

Austin Michelle Cloyd

Born in Charlotte, N.C., to Bryan and Renee Cloyd, Austin grew up in three university towns before moving to Blacksburg. She graduated with honors from Blacksburg High School in June 2006.

Austin traveled the world with her family and was interested in politics and international and environmental issues. A double major in international studies and French at Virginia Tech, she took advantage of every learning opportunity. She was in the Honors Program, an officer in the International Relations Organization, and an active participant in several model United Nations conferences.

A tall girl with flaming red hair and a bright smile, Austin played basketball throughout secondary school. She worked four summers with Appalachia Service Project to help make homes in rural Appalachia warmer, safer, and drier. She loved children and worked with them as a babysitter, a day-camp counselor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a group leader for the Champaign-Urbana Service Project, and a swimming instructor at Tech's McComas Hall. She enjoyed reading, scuba diving, music, concerts, college basketball games, travel, and adventures with friends.

Austin had a brilliant mind, a compassionate heart, and an iron will. She loved her brother, her parents, and her entire family. She not only wanted to help others, she did. Her favorite quote captures much of her outlook on life: "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. And if everyone does something, then together we can change the world."

Jocelyne Couture- Nowak

Family, friends, students, and colleagues remember Jocelyn's community spirit, love of nature, and dedication to the preservation of her francophone heritage. She would approach anyone she heard speaking French to welcome him or her to the local francophone community.

Before moving to Virginia, Ms. Couture-Nowak was instrumental in the development of the École Acadienne de Truro, Nova Scotia, which opened in 1997 and ensures access of francophone families to a safe school environment and French language education.

Jocelyne also taught at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, in the 1990s, moving to Blacksburg when her husband was appointed head of the Department of Horticulture at Virginia Tech.

Jocelyne's brutal death contrasts sharply with her peaceful life, filled with family hikes in the bucolic countryside of her homes in the forests of Nova Scotia and Southwest Virginia, her flower-filled home gardens, her congenial gatherings of friends and students, and her cherished family. She died in the school setting that had been the touchstone of her life.

Jocelyne's joie de vivre touched all who encountered her. An unusual blend of energy and grace, she has been described as "effervescent" and a "vivacious swirl of life force." She also brought joy by living joy.

May that spirit, her spirit, be lived by those who remember her so.

Dr. Kevin P. Granata

"Professor Granata distinguished himself by making many outstanding scholarly contributions," said ESM Department Head Dr. Ishwar Puri. "He has been hailed by experts in the field of biomechanics as one of the top five researchers in the nation for his studies of movement dynamics in cerebral palsy."

Born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1961, Kevin completed undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and physics at Ohio State University (OSU) and a master's degree in physics at Purdue University, where he met Linda. He returned to OSU to earn a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering.

In 1997, Dr. Granata was recruited by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia to direct research in the Motion Analysis and Motor Performance Laboratory. After coming to Virginia Tech in 2003, he established the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory, a top-flight research facility he co-directed with Dr. Michael Madigan of ESM.

"Kevin was a visionary scientist who truly believed in the possibilities of changing the world through theoretical and empirical research," said Dr. Thurmon Lockhart of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. "As a friend, he was caring and pure of heart. He gave me guidance about living a simple life. He was my friend, my colleague, and my mentor, and he will be truly missed."

Matthew Gwaltney

In 2005, Matthew earned his bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from Virginia Tech in civil engineering, with a concentration in environmental and water resources engineering. As a graduate student, he taught civil engineering labs and was conducting research on storm- water management.

Matthew was born Dec. 11, 1982, to Karen P. and G. Gregory Gwaltney Jr. He was a 2001 graduate of Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Va. Among his high school awards and recognitions were memberships in the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Continuing his academic achievements at Virginia Tech, he was inducted into Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering undergraduate honor society; Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society; the National Society of Collegiate Scholars; Phi Eta Sigma; Golden Key International Honor Society; and Phi Kappa Phi, a university-wide honor society.

Passionate about sports, Matthew was a master of sports statistics and trivia. He was a devoted Hokies fan and enjoyed all ACC sporting events. The Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Bulls led his list of favorite professional teams. At Thomas Dale, Matthew was an avid, dedicated basketball and baseball team member. At Virginia Tech, he was often found in the gymnasium involved in a pick-up basketball game.

Matthew had many lasting friends who have remembered him as honest, dedicated, generous, and intelligent . . . a real mentor and role model.

Caitlin Millar Hammaren

Born on May 4, 1987, and from Westtown, N.Y., Caitlin was president of the Minisink Valley High School choir and a member of the National Honor Society. For years, she served food at the Pulaski fire company's annual pancake breakfast.

At Virginia Tech, where Caitlin was a sophomore double majoring in international studies and French, she continued caring about and helping people. She was events chair for her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and was one of their top fundraisers in the Relay for Life. She was also a resident advisor in the Residential Leadership Community. Her passion for that role was so strong that she took care of each of her residents as if they were her own children. As a result, she was inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary, an organization that recognizes only the top 1 percent of residence hall leaders.

Caitlin dedicated her time outside her studies to many activities close to her heart, among them riding horses, singing, and playing the violin.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

Jeremy Michael Herbstritt

Jeremy graduated from Bellefonte Area High School and received a bachelor of science in biochemistry and molecular biology at Pennsylvania State University. He returned to Penn State to earn a B.S. in civil engineering, with honors, in 2006.

He then enrolled as a graduate student in civil engineering at Virginia Tech, where he was a teaching assistant and recipient of the Sussman Scholarship for summer 2007.

Jeremy worked for the Guided Path Dairy Farm in Bellefonte and for the Centre County, Pa., Extension office, where he collected mosquitoes to be tested for the West Nile virus. He is credited with discovering the first West Nile virus-infected mosquito in Centre County.

While growing up, Jeremy was involved in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Centre County 4-H Gold Bullets Club; Centre County Sheep Club; Centre County Beef Club; and the Knights of Columbus, Council 1314.

An avid runner, he competed in the Pocono and Steamtown marathons and participated for three consecutive years in the Tussey Mountainback 50-mile relay. He was helping his sister, Jennifer, train for the Boston Marathon.

Jeremy will forever be loved and missed by all and his amazing life will never be forgotten. A memorial 5K will be run annually by his friends and family so that his compassionate heart and passion for life will live on.

Rachael Elizabeth Hill

Although Rachael had just started college as an undergraduate in fall 2006, she already knew she wanted to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry, specializing in nanotechnology.

The daughter of Allen and Tammy Hill, she was a 2006 graduate of Grove Avenue Christian School in Richmond, Va. The consensus of her classmates and other people who knew her well is that it is difficult to capture the beauty, intelligence, poise, leadership, and other wonderful traits that Rachael possessed.

She enjoyed classic movies, playing volleyball, shopping for shoes, and hanging out with her parents.

Rachael was perpetually prepared. One of her beloved scriptures is Song of Solomon 8:5: "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?" She saw herself as the one coming out of the wilderness and needing to lean on her Savior more and more. Her personal goal was to glorify God in all she did through her Lord Jesus Christ.

Rachael's high school administrator writes, "The world has lost one of its brightest prospects, but the Lord is glorified through the Daughter of the King that she is, the life that she lived, and the impact Rachael had on others in the name of Jesus."

Her senior yearbook quote from C.S. Lewis sums up best what her family feels she would say at this time: "God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain."

Emily Jane Hilscher

She graduated from Rappahannock County High School as a member of the Class of 2006. Emily was a skilled horsewoman, animal lover, enthusiastic cook, and imaginative artisan. She was always wise beyond her years and insisted on fairness in everything. She wanted people to be happy, and she was eternally trying to save someone or something.

Emily had a passion for horses, and in the fall of 2006, she began what was to be an eight-year journey at Virginia Tech, which would have culminated with her becoming a veterinarian and then working in an equine practice. She became a member of the Virginia Tech equestrian team in spring 2007. Emily was a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and competed successfully in her first show at Virginia Intermont College on Feb. 12, 2007. She was scheduled to compete in her second show on April 21.

According to her coach, "Emily was just entering her intercollegiate riding career. She showed great promise and had a perfect attitude that would have made her a very successful intercollegiate rider. Her strong work ethic and determination were always displayed as she spent long hours at equestrian club events, always with a smile on her face."

Jarrett Lee Lane

Born in Giles County, Va., on March 28, 1985, Jarrett was raised in Narrows, Va., by his mother, Tracey Lane, and always excelled in sports and academics. He graduated from Narrows High School with a 4.0 grade point average; participated in football, basketball, tennis, and track; played in the band; and participated in clubs and community organizations. He became the school's top tennis player and earned all-district honors in football, basketball, and track. He was the valedictorian of his graduating class and a graduate of the Southwest Virginia Governor's School.

Jarrett realized a long-time goal when he became a Hokie in fall 2003. While at Virginia Tech, he played intramural sports and became a member of the Campus Crusade for Christ. He interned for the Site and Infrastructure Development Department in Virginia Tech Facilities for nearly two years. As a senior, he was awarded The Stanley and Frances Cohen Scholarship, a civil engineering scholarship.

Jarrett would have graduated from Virginia Tech in the 2007 Commencement. He had been accepted at the University of Florida's Coastal Engineering Graduate Program.

Jarrett took great pride in being a Hokie and enjoyed his experiences at Virginia Tech. He often traveled home on weekends, visiting family and friends, attending First Baptist Church, and playing sports with friends.

Jarrett recognized the importance of being a serious student but, even more so, the importance of living life to its fullest.

Matthew Joseph La Porte

Born on Nov. 20, 1986, Matt was the son of Joseph and Barbara La Porte of Dumont, N.J. He had one sister, Priscilla.

Matt graduated from Carson Long Military Institute in New Bloomfield, Pa., where he excelled in academics and leadership and served as drum major of the cadet band.

At Virginia Tech, he was a member of the corps of cadets and played tenor drum for the Regimental Band, the Highty-Tighties. His musical expertise led to his selection as a member of the Southern Colonels, the cadet jazz band. He was also a Fire Team leader in his company.

Matt was attending college on an Air Force ROTC scholarship and was working to earn a commission in the United States Air Force. His goal was to be an intelligence officer once on active duty.

He was a bright student, and he consistently scored high marks on his physical fitness tests; peers admired his strength and stamina. He demonstrated his enthusiasm for physical fitness by joining the Air Force Special Operations Preparation Team and participating in a rigorous physical training regimen.

Considerate and mature, Matt was a cadet with unlimited potential who loved a challenge. He was working hard to prepare for Air Force ROTC summer field training, a 28-day leadership evaluation.

His family and friends, as well as the faculty and staff at both Carson Long and Virginia Tech, mourn his passing.

Henry J. Lee (Henh Ly)

An academic achiever, Henry graduated from William Fleming High School's International Baccalaurate Program as class salutatorian with a 4.47 grade point average. He was also a member of the French and Beta clubs. At Virginia Tech, he was a dean's list student even as a freshman.

Henry's brother, Manh, also attends Virginia Tech, and his sister, Chi, has completed her studies in accounting and received her degree during the 2007 Commencement ceremonies.

Henry was a creative person, interested in origami and photography. Additionally, he liked to watch movies and hang out with his friends. He will always be fondly remembered by his classmates and teachers as the young man with an open smile and zany personality. His Virginia Tech classmate Nathan Spady called Henry "an extremely bubbly guy, always ready to go."

"Henry loved his family and was a good son," writes a family friend. One of his proudest moments was becoming an American citizen in May 2006. Although the Ly family will forever miss their treasured child, they find some comfort knowing that Henry died a heroic death while trying to help his teacher block their classroom door.

Dr. Liviu Librescu

As a child in Romania during World War II, Liviu was confined to a Jewish ghetto, while his father was sent to a forced labor camp. After surviving the Holocaust, Liviu moved forward with stalwart determination to become an engineer.

During the rise of the Communist Party in Romania in the 1960s, Liviu completed his Ph.D. at the Academy of Science of Romania and began to achieve academic prominence. When he and his wife wanted to leave Romania for Israel, it took them three years and the help of the Israeli government to obtain visas.

Liviu taught at Tel-Aviv University until he spent a year on sabbatical at Virginia Tech. The family decided to settle in Blacksburg in 1985, and Dr. Librescu became one of the university's--and the world's--most respected educators and researchers in the field of aeronautical engineering.

Dr. Librescu is survived by his wife, Marlena, and his sons, Joseph and Arieh, who reside in Israel. During his funeral in Israel, Marlena was presented with the Grand Cross of Romania, the nation's highest civilian honor, in honor of her husband's "scientific achievements and heroism."

Dr. G.V. Loganathan

Born in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, in 1954, G.V. journeyed to the U.S. for graduate studies at Purdue University, where he earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering. In December 1981, he joined the faculty of Virginia Tech and embarked on a remarkable career as one of the university's most accomplished educators and one of the nation's most respected researchers in the fields of hydrology and water resources systems.

Virginia Tech recognized Dr. Loganathan's exceptional devotion to students by presenting him with virtually every teaching honor offered by the university, including the 2006 W.E. Wine Award for Excellence in Teaching.

"Professor Loganathan was an exemplary educator who cared greatly for his students and their well-being," said Dr. William R. Knocke, head of the Via department. "He was a kind soul, pure in heart, who taught us through his words and actions how to answer the calling to be a teacher, a mentor, and a beloved friend."

Dr. Loganathan is survived by his wife, Usha, and his daughters, Uma and Abhi.

Partahi M. "Mora" Lumbantoruan

A native of Indonesia, he was born on April 26, 1972, and earned his B.S. and master's degrees in civil engineering at Parahyangan Catholic University.

Mora came to America in 2004 to earn his doctorate in civil engineering at Virginia Tech and joined the Indonesian community. He enjoyed football games, grilling saté for the international street fair, taking road trips, and engaging in spiritual and intellectual discussions. Quiet and shy, he was quick to join in lively political discussions, especially those relating to Indonesian political affairs.

Mora's smile was contagious and he radiated positive energy that attracted and cemented friendships. He loved Virginia Tech and devoted himself to Tech traditions and the football team.

Mora was admired for his patience, wisdom, and compassion for others. He could put a smile on the faces of stressed friends and help them not to worry about little things. He faced each day with a positive attitude; put others' needs before his own; and was the son, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, husband, and father everyone should have.

As a true hero, Mora spent his final moments on earth sacrificing his life to save that of another. If he were here today, he would ask us to keep our chins up and to smile. He would want us to gain strength from this tragedy and to live each day to the fullest.

"Rest in peace my brother . . . you will not be forgotten."

Lauren Ashley McCain

Lauren strived for excellence in her studies, but as much as she cared about learning, she cared about people more. She had a quirky sense of humor and a love of life that she shared with everyone. Her smile was bright and cheered those around her.

She had many interests and was active in several organizations. Lauren combined her love of music with her daily workouts and runs. She was involved in intramural soccer and women's flag football and loved the German language and culture.

Active in Campus Crusade for Christ, New Life Christian Fellowship, and Bridges International Ministries, Lauren cared deeply about the international community and participated in campus ministries that reached out to international students. She spoke often of her desire to travel, to study abroad, and to one day live and work in another country and share her love of Christ. She viewed everyone as uniquely valuable, and purposefully invested herself in those she met.

Lauren loved God and had faith that her savior Jesus Christ had placed her at Virginia Tech with a mission and a purpose: to touch those she met with His love and to glorify Him. Her Christian faith is revealed in her own testimony: "I don't have to argue religion, philosophy, or historical evidence because I know Him. He is just as real, if not more so, as my earthly father."