The following is a letter written Friday to Northern Illinois University President John Peters from Charles Steger, president of Virginia Tech, in response to the mass shootings in DeKalb Thursday.

Thirty-two Virginia Tech students and faculty died April 16, 2007, after a gunman opened fire on campus, wounding 17 more people before killing himself.

Dear President Peters:

Words cannot begin to express my shock and horror at hearing of the terrible events at Northern Illinois University. The loss of life is always tragic but especially the loss of young people with their promise for the future. Our hearts go out to the families as well as those injured and the entire Northern Illinois community.

Obviously, this horrific news brings to mind the hurt, pain and trauma we experienced less than a year ago. We would like to think that the institutions of learning and of rational thought would be spared such madness. Sadly, this is not the case in today's world.

I know how difficult the hours and days can be at times like this. I also know how much strength and resolve can come from the university community banding together.

Our community was also tremendously bolstered by the outpouring of support from people who were touched by the tragedy here, and we hope and believe that the same support will be offered to you, the faculty, staff and students at Northern Illinois.

Again, we will keep you in our hearts and prayers, and if there is any assistance that I or any of our staff at Virginia Tech can provide, please call on us.

With sincerest sympathy,

Charles W. Steger