Gov. Kathleen Blanco did something Thursday afternoon common for a government executive: She signed her name. But this time it was neither legislative bill nor executive order – Blanco’s name lay on a quilt beside the signatures of hundreds of University students. Working with Student Government, the office of Secretary of State Jay Dardenne prepared a memorial relief quilt to give Virginia Tech alumni. For the past two days this quilt has been circulating on and off campus, accumulating the signatures of more than 2,000 empathetic Louisianians. Dawn Abraham, who works under Dardenne in the Louisiana State Archives, created the quilt’s design. The cotton quilt is 108 inches long and 100 inches wide featuring a picture of Louisiana under the Va. Tech logo. Sewn across the back are the words “Stitch by stitch, Tigers mend Hokies’ hearts,” while the names of the tragedy’s 32 victims line the quilt’s border. “It was basically just to extend our sympathies and hearts to the whole community of Virginia Tech,” Abraham said. “It could happen on any campus across the country, and thank God it’s never happened here.” The governor was not the only public figure to sign the quilt. University Chancellor Sean O’Keefe gave his signature, as did Les Miles, head football coach for the Tigers. Dardenne not only signed the quilt but also sewed on the patch with the Louisiana state seal. The majority of the quilt was sewn by students. The participants included SG President Cassie Alsfeld and members of her executive staff. Three offensive linemen from the University’s football team also worked on the quilt – Ciron Black, Herman Johnson and Carnell Stewart. The concept for a memorial quilt came to Abraham in early May, shortly after the violent events of April 16. The idea quickly generated support from SG, which had been frustrated in earlier plans for a special event to coincide with the approaching football game. “It’s something that shows we care enough to put this together for you,” Alsfeld said. Abraham said Dardenne, a University alumnus who served as SG president during the 1977-1978 school year, is “all about” community involvement. Abraham said it was particularly fitting that one university-based community help out another, “particularly for us to give back after the country gave so much to us after [Hurricane] Katrina.” The quilt will be presented to Va. Tech alumni Saturday at 6 p.m. in a special ceremony at the University Field House.
—–Contact Daniel McBride at [email protected]