Tears and memories flooded the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center Friday when more than 200 friends, faculty and family members gathered for another goodbye to the 32 students who died this year.

"We find that we are not alone in the sorrowful times," Lutheran campus minister Alicia Anderson said. "Look around the room; we are not alone."

"Their lives have touched us in so many ways," she added.

The Penn State Concert Choir added to the service by performing in memory of the students.

Its powerful performance of "Set Me as a Seal" emphasized the idea that "love is strong as death" and helped some attendees gain a sense of acceptance.

Sharon Mortensen, director of the Penn State Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs (CERA), said attendance was higher than usual because more families of students from Commonwealth Campuses attended.

"Family members have really appreciated it," Mortensen said. "Penn

State, being as big as it is, still cares about the individual losses."

Many of the speakers emphasized the lifetime commitment the Penn State community has to the recently deceased.

Vice President for Student Affairs Vicky Triponey highlighted the significance of the individuals and the importance of gathering to pay tribute in a speech during the event.

"We can find strength in our bonds," she said.

Tonya Yerty (senior-integrative arts) attended the memorial for her friend Aaron Stuckey.

"It was a good opportunity for people to come together who have experienced a similar situation," she said.

Yerty added that the service was a touching memorial for all of the students who passed away.

Undergraduate CERA fellow Lauren Mack said, "Losing someone is an intensely personal experience."

She added that the combination of memories left behind would last a lifetime.

"Hold on to those memories," she said. "Together they provide us with a treasure that we can take with us and recall whenever we want."