Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

University Community Assembles in the Wake of Haiti Earthquake

Students, faculty and staff gathered in Healy Circle Friday for a prayer vigil held for the victims of the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti Tuesday.

The earthquake destroyed the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and affected millions, including members of the Georgetown community.

Co-sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Caribbean Culture Circle, the vigil drew approximately 80 people.

“We offer our deepest sympathies, as none of us can ever comprehend the magnitude of this tragedy . Even as our hearts have reached out, let us give all that we can. Let us in this moment answer the call to be women and men for others,” University President John J. DeGioia said.

Anthony Peña (SFS ’10), president of the Caribbean Culture Circle, addressed the attendees and spoke on the power of prayer in times of crisis.

Following Peña’s speech, the Georgetown Gospel Choir sang a rendition of “Fix Me,” a traditional spiritual hymn. Members of different faiths, including Harold White, Jewish chaplaincy director, and Yahya Hendi, Muslim chaplaincy director, read prayers and passages from sacred texts.

arta Rifin (COL ’10) spoke on the importance of student unity in a time of disaster and sang the national anthem of Haiti in Creole, moving some members of the audience to tears.

“I thank everyone for being out here in the cold and showing their love. I am Haitian, and this tragedy is more than just a national headline. It’s my nation . I’m so blessed to see you all here. It means a lot,” Rifin said.

embers of the community reaffirmed that the campus needs to be unified in the face of the devastation in Haiti.

“I think it’s really important for all the groups on campus to gather together and send our thoughts and prayers to Haiti,” Danny Gustafson (COL ’11) said.

“It was a beautiful service, and I appreciate all the people that came out to do something collective and send out a prayer,” said Ta Jane’ Perry (MSB ’13), member of the Georgetown Gospel Choir.

“We are all in this together. We are a community, as Fr. [Kevin] O’Brien [S.J.] said. If we stick together we will survive,” said Carlos Casseus, Haitian and a technology engineer with GoCard services.

Peña also added that “I’m really proud that people come out. We came together unified in solidarity. I greatly appreciate the university response. However, I hope that we will not forget about this tragedy two weeks later.”

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