The Daily O’Collegian

Sara Riddle and Linsy Haines, both freshmen, are signing the giant card dedicated to the families and victims who lost their lives in the Jan. 27 plane crash.

“We didn’t know them, but they were a part of this university and a part of every person here,” Haines said. “We’re signing out of respect for the families and others that knew them.

“You grew up watching Bill Teegins on television and saw the charisma that Dan (Lawson) and Nate (Fleming) carried on the court, and you know we are really never going to be the same,” she said.

Riddle said she felt great remorse for those who knew the victims and their families but said everyone would feel the pain.

“OSU is a close-knit school, and we’re all going through this together even if we weren’t directly affected,” Riddle said.

Over the weekend, Oklahoma State University went from simply a university to a grief-stricken university portrayed on television sets across the nation.

As students, staff, alumni and OSU supporters mourn the loss of their own, people from across the country — sometimes with no affiliation to the university at all — have written and e-mailed, offering support and concern.

The Daily O’Collegian Web site received more than 80,000 hits Monday, a number that usually takes three or four months to reach, said Thomas Arjmandi, O’Collegian computer/networking director.

Sunday night, more than 1,000 people gathered near St. John University Parish and Catholic Student Center to light 10 candles and pay respects to the victims. Flowers, cards and letters continue to pile up outside Gallagher-Iba Arena, where a memorial ceremony will be held Wednesday afternoon.

Steve Buzzard, OSU sports information director, said the outpouring of sympathy and support has been tremendous.

“Today we’ve heard from 35 or 40 universities across the country who have offered their thoughts and prayers,” Buzzard said. “You pray that it never happens, but it has, and you do the best you can.”

Monday night, University of Kansas and University of Missouri basketball players wore orange and black ribbons.

The University of Oklahoma, OSU’s longtime rival, has been one of the supportive institutions.

OU President David Boren said the OU Student Union bells will toll at 3 p.m. Wednesday, marking the beginning of the memorial service in Stillwater, as a tribute to those who lost their lives.

While memorial services continue throughout Stillwater, the athletic department is trying to start down the long bumpy road ahead — healing.

“This is still so fresh,” Buzzard said at a Monday afternoon press conference. “We’re having a difficult time trying to get into any kind of routine. People are still needing to hold and lean on each other.

“The department continues to do several things to focus on the families,” he said. “There is still a lot of talking that needs to be done.”

University Counseling Services has been available to the families of the victims and the athletic department since Saturday night, but it also is open to other students seeking comfort.

Joni Hays, senior clinical counselor, said feelings of shock and disbelief can create a delayed effect in grieving.

“Grief doesn’t happen the same way for everyone,” Hays said. “People need to realize that while some people aren’t crying now, three or four weeks from now the pain could hit, and grieving could start.

“We encourage people to be sensitive and aware of other people’s needs.”

Hays said University Counseling Services will continue to be available to anyone having trouble dealing with the loss.