During Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s visit to the NIU campus, he made a personal visit to the students “as a human being and as a parent,” he said.

Blagojevich spoke to a room of approximately 70 students for about 10 minutes, offering his words of condolence and consolation.

“I’ve seen some terrible things happen as governor, but I’ve also seen the best of what people can do for each other,” Blagojevich said.

The meeting was held in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center. It was arranged for students distressed from Thursday’s tragic shooting to receive help from counselors and words of condolence from the governor.

Tending to the students were counselors from across the Chicagoland area, including the University of Illinois-Chicago and Northwestern University.

During his speech, Blagojevich mentioned the friends of Catalina Garcia who were sitting together at a table in front. Garcia, 20, was killed in the shooting.
Blagojevich said the people of NIU will be in his prayers and afterward mingled and greeted the entire room, shook hands and asked how the students were doing.

Students who came to the meeting were looking to hear what the governor of Illinois had to say.

“It’s the governor,” said Cary Wolovick, senior political science major. “We’re all shocked, but to see support from public officials is good.”

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