All over the HUB-Robeson Center, people were helping people yesterday. Students huddled to support each other, lines formed for blood donations and counselors stood ready for anyone needing assistance.

The planned blood drive brought a turnout substantially larger than imagined — all due to the national tragedy and the need students felt to help others.

Mike Young, publicity chair of the Penn State Red Cross Club, said the Red Cross collected about 230 pints of usable blood, while the group was originally hoping for 120.

"This is an incredible turnout," he said. Those in charge decided to extend the drive several hours past the anticipated end at 4 p.m. due to the overwhelming number of interested students.

Young said Red Cross volunteers had to turn away about 75 people at 8:30 p.m. Those donors were given vouchers so they do not have to wait in line to donate today.

"I would like to thank all the people who came out; it was a tremendous outpouring," he said.

Erica Lange (freshman-marketing) donated blood to help injured Americans. "I didn't even know the drive was going on," she said.

Young said Penn State is part of the Greater Alleghenies Region Red Cross, which usually would supply the metropolitan areas of New York and Washington, D.C. The blood that students gave yesterday, however, will most likely be used to replace blood in the local reserves, which Young said were virtually empty as of last night.

"We are still in desperate need of blood; it's overwhelming," Young said.

There will be a ROTC blood drive today at the Wagner Building and an emergency drive will occur tomorrow at the White Building. Both drives will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If students have any questions about their donor eligibility, they can call (800) 54-BLOOD.

Jake Feldman, publicity co-chair of the student Red Cross, said the urgency of giving blood is not always realized until an unfortunate event such as this.

"I hope students will take this event to make a commitment to donate blood in the future," he said, adding that the Red Cross is always in need of blood.

Lisa Hart, assistant director of donor resources for Greater Alleghenies Region American Red Cross Blood Services, called the student turnout "unbelievable."

"The show of support from the students was outstanding," Hart said. "We're very thankful that the students came out."

At 9:15 p.m., more than a dozen students still were waiting for their turns to donate. Nate Pettinato (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said he had been in line for about four hours.

"I just wanted to help out," he said. "I'm just trying to do my part."

Early yesterday, university officials reacted as well.

Penn State responds

At about 10 a.m., a meeting was called by Bill Asbury, vice president of student affairs, to discuss the attacks on United States soil and how to aid students at Penn State. A system had previously been developed for occurrences such as this, and yesterday the plans were enacted.

Counselors and clergy were made available to students and staff yesterday in the HUB-Robeson Center, Kern Building and Eisenhower Chapel.

The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) made its services available to students beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the HUB-Robeson Center library. Counselors rotated each hour, having two to three available at any given time.

"We anticipated a need from the get-go," said Dennis Heitzmann, director of CAPS. "Right now students are without information; they are washed over initially."

Carmenlita Sayles, graduate assistant for CAPS, said there was not a huge influx of students in need of services yet.

"At this point it is still wait-and-see," Sayles said. "I imagine more students will come once the reality of what has happened sets in."

CAPS will be available for students again today. "Any student with difficulties is encouraged to call," Heitzmann said. Those in need of service can call the central office in the Ritenour Building.

Penn State President Graham Spanier issued a statement last night calling the attacks an "enormous tragedy."

Amy Neil, Penn State spokesperson, said the university would be keeping the HUB-Robeson Center and Kern Building open 24 hours, to allow students to come together to comfort each other. Neil would not say if security has been increased on campus, but said the university is "doing everything to ensure student and faculty safety."

Neil said classes will continue as scheduled and will serve as a place for students to get support. Spanier asked faculty to use class time to help students cope with yesterday's events.

"We just want to make sure students have a safe place to go," Neil said.

Diane Andrews, senior associate director of Residence Life, said there would be extra staff on call last night and resident assistants would be out doing more rounds.

Collegian staff writer Elly Spinweber contributed to this report.