That is beautifully said Amy (both the quote and your words about it). I've been a full time college professor for over 12 years now (and if you count the teaching I did as grad student, over 18 years total), and this really hit close to home for me. I don't teach at a Virginia Tech, I don't usually teach the best and the brightest--at least those aren't mainly the students I see because I teach at a community college. Still, it doesn't matter how much drive and talent has shown itself at a young age, the loss of a life that young is just tragic.