On the night of Dec. 8, the Ashland Center for Nonviolence at Ashland University brought together students to hold a candlelight vigil in response to the recent mass shootings.

Students, professors and community members took a moment of their time to meet in the quad, where candles were lit and silence was shared to show solidarity for the wounded.

Dr. Hovey, associate professor of religion at AU and executive director of ACN, mentioned that even though the vigil was in response of mass shootings, he did not want to define its meaning.

“I did not want to over determine what the vigil means to people,” said Hovey. “I figure people will have their own reason for coming out.”

The vigil was not only in response to the shootings happening around the country such as in San Bernardino and Colorado Springs, or around the world like Paris and Beirut but also for the shooting that recently took place in downtown Ashland, where Asian students were targeted.

“We think it`s really important for our minority students and international students to see an act of solidarity, students who feel that they are not being heard,” said Hovey.

Among the people who attended the vigil, Dendara Oakleaf, AU student, thinks that this is a great way bring together students for a good cause.

“I think this is a really good way to bring the campus together and have them stop to think about what is going on and ways that maybe they can help prevent further violence from occurring,” said Oakleaf.

Oakleaf mentions how a simple act of kindness can make a difference.

“Just a simple act of kindness sometimes could help and taking the time to be kind to others instead of being harsh, cruel and racist towards everybody who is different I think that that could find a spot in someone’s heart,” said Oakleaf.

For Emily Wirtz, intern for the ACN, the most important part of this vigil was to spread awareness and embrace other cultures.

“Get some awareness out there because we have people who are not aware and it is important to have culture acceptance,” said Wiltz.

The vigil was not a protest nor was any point trying to be made, it was a moment to reflect on who we are or who we want to be as a campus and bring together students to work toward that vision.