California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and the entire Long Beach community mourned the death of Nohemi Gonzalez in a Candlelight Vigil hosted last Sunday. Hundreds of people attended to support her family, friends, and the CSULB community at large, and continue to do so by displaying an image of Nohemi surrounded by flowers, candles, and notes in front of the water fountain in the Maxon Plaza. An International Study Abroad Scholarship has also been established in her honor. The lost of Nohemi has such a profound effect on our community, but we are standing strong together; for Nohemi and her loved ones, for Paris, and for our collective humanity.
CSULB has lit up the iconic pyramid displaying the colors of the French flag. This outward display of respect is only one way our community shows their support. Within the University, much is being done to support our students. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is providing counseling for those who have been affected by Nohemi's loss, and will be reaching out to the Design department as well as the French Studies and International Education department, just to name a few. Alex Marquez, a Project OCEAN Undergraduate Peer Educator and Crisis Counselor during the Candlelight Vigil said, "Never in my life did I think that I'd be relied on to help people struggling in the wake of a terrorist attack. I'm proud of the CSULB community for showing so much love and support."
Christopher Calo, who is a student within the College of Design and knew Nohemi personally, says, "Nohemi was simply a wonderful person. Losing her was truly devastating. Nohemi was a senior Industrial Design student while I am a junior, [so] she has always been a role model. Nohemi was an incredibly talented and dedicated designer and above all she was passionate about life. Hence, the best thing we can do to keep her memory alive is to live with that same passion. Nohemi will never be forgotten and her memory will forever inspire current and future students to follow their dreams."
The CSULB community has always been and continues to be supportive, engaged, and involved in the well being of all of its students; it is what unifies us. While the loss of Nohemi is tragic, I am confident that our campus community will remain strong and unified during this time of adversity.