First of all, I want to apologize to you all. This letter is long overdue.

Some of you might know me from classes or activities we’ve shared. Most of you won’t know who I am. There are more than 25,000 of us, and we only get to know a tiny fraction of that vast number during our time here. For the first time, I’ve realized that doesn’t matter at all.

What does matter is you – all of you, regardless of whether we’re personally acquainted or not.

We’re all different people, with different views and preferences and personalities. Those differences are often what we focus on. Now, I realize that what’s really important is what we share in common.

No matter who you are, you have goals, hopes, dreams and aspirations. You hope for the best after a tough exam. You feel a little bit happier when someone smiles at you in a hallway. You love your family and friends. You live your life the best way you can.

As an NIU student, you’re going through the same experience I am. And I want to say thank you to each and every one of you. Whether we know each other or not, you make my experience possible. You contribute to my classes. You make me think. You make me laugh. You make me groan. You share yourself with others on our campus, and they share themselves with me. You may never have known it, but you’re an essential piece of my life, and I’m grateful for you.

There are five wonderful NIU students I’ll never have a chance to know, and I wish I could’ve told them how grateful I am for their contributions to my experience, too. I’ll never have that opportunity now, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t blow my chance to tell you how much I appreciate what you have contributed to my experience.

In the aftermath of our shared tragedy, I especially want you all to know that I’m grateful you’re here with me. As difficult and painful as it is to cope with, it’s a great comfort to know that we don’t have to go though it alone. Whether I know you or not, I know for sure that you are special. I know you have immeasurable worth, and you’re beautiful in your own way.

Thank you for being who you are, and for contributing to my experience. More than ever, we are all Huskies now – and together, with each other’s support, we’ll get through this.

God bless you all and keep you well.

Richard Snowden
Senior English/political science major

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