Unperturbed by threatening weather, around 300 people gathered last night in front of Old Main in a candlelight vigil to honor those killed in the Virginia Tech shootings.

Jackie Morone (senior-journalism), who organized the event through a Facebook group, said she was "more than happy" with the number of students who turned out.

"I feel that the people who didn't come missed something amazing," she said.

Organizers distributed candles shielded in plastic cups to the crowd, relighting those that went out in the rising wind. Donation bins, collecting money for the families of those killed in the shooting, were placed amongst the crowd, along with boxes of tissues.

Morone told the assembled crowd of how she was first exposed to the shooting while watching a Virginia Tech student and her mother reunite on television.

"It was the rawest display of emotion I've ever seen on television," she said. "It sent such a complete jolt ... I had to do something."

Playing Josh Groban's "To Where You Are," Morone encouraged members of the crowd to come forward and speak about their feelings regarding the tragedy.

Penn State economics professor Mark McLeod, who worked at Virginia Tech for six years, told the crowd he was "proud to be a Hokie."

"Virginia Tech is an outstanding university ... it's very similar to Penn State in many ways," McLeod said. "I'm very proud to join this vigil tonight to add our strength to theirs."

Justin McDaniels (junior-recreation, park and tourism management) was on his way to class last Monday when he heard about the shootings.

"I knew some friends who were pretty affected by it," he said. "Things like this really help them get over it ... the support we showed at the game -- it means more to them than anything else."

Campus a cappella group Savoir Faire sang a rendition of "Amazing Grace," with several members of the audience joining in.

The organizers then lit a row of candles along Old Main's wall, symbolizing the 33 killed. Posters along the wall bore the victims' pictures and names.

Morone closed the vigil with a moment of silence and prayer.

"Penn State is a strong school ... Virginia Tech is a strong school," she said. "But there are weak people, and we all need to be strong for each other."