One week.

One week ago, the King Memorial Commons was empty.

A week later, students, faculty, and community members couldn’t find an open space in the middle of campus.

With the MLK commons filled before 3 p.m., people began to stand anywhere.

The steps of the Holmes Student Center, a grassy knoll, or any snow bank with a view toward a small stage became a place to gather.

A crowd of thousands engaged in chitchat and conversation. Noise filled the packed space.

But once NIU president John Peters approached the microphone, only the sound of snow falling on jackets could be heard.

“It has been just one week, just one week since we lost five vibrant people,” Peters said. “Some have suffered physically, we all have suffered mentally.”

One week.

One week ago people ran away from the commons.

One week later they calmly walked and huddled in the same spot.

The spot students were warned to stay away from was now a place to gather. A place to continue the grieving process.

“Know where we stand now will always be hallowed ground,” Peters said. “We will turn that spot into a vibrant place of learning.”

One week ago screaming and chaos filled the commons.

One week later, the sounds of bells ringing, whimpers of crying, and snow filled the frigid air.

Although a solid group in silence, everyone was left to themselves in thought.

“We are alone in our thoughts, but listen together to the bells,” Peters said. “So I call on each of you to remember and love.”

In one week everything has changed.

In one week everything is the same.

It has been one week.

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