<p>Widener University students, faculty and staff gathered Wednesday in the University Center atrium in a show of support for the Virginia Tech community following Monday's tragic shooting that took the lives of 33 people. <br /><br />Dr. Geraldine Bloemker, assistant provost for student services, encouraged students affected by the tragedy to communicate. <br /><br />"When we hurt, we need to talk and connect to the life energy of others," Bloemker said. "Isolation does not help. Our counseling center is one safe, confidential place to go to talk and share your feelings." <br /><br />Chris Heleniak, president of the Widener Student Government Association, said, "the differences and distances between colleges and universities disappear when such tragic events take place." <br /><br />"Today, we are Widener, but we are also Virginia Tech," Heleniak said. <br /><br />In support of the Virginia Tech community, Widener students, faculty and staff signed a giant poster which will be sent to Virginia Tech. <br /><br /><strong>The "City of Brotherly Love" (Philadelphia)</strong> will be extending its support be encouraging all colleges and universities to wear orange and maroon on Friday. The Widener University Student Government Association would like to continue to show its support for the Virginia Tech community by asking all Widener University members to wear orange or maroon on campus on tomorrow. <br /><br />We feel as though this tragedy has touched us all and we would like to show our support for those in need. The SGA would also like to thank all of you who attended today's Acknowledgement Ceremony in the University Center. <br /><br />Thank you for your continued support!</p>