By Emma McGrath and Gail Waterhouse

On Tuesday, President Joseph E. Aoun announced in an email to the Northeastern community that the university would hold a vigil that afternoon, “in support of those who have been affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon.”

Students, faculty and others packed the Curry Student Center Ballroom, where the vigil began at 4 p.m. Because the ballroom was so full, audio of the event was sent through loudspeakers in CSC, and a crowd downstairs gathered to listen.

Before the event started, attendees were offered battery-powered candle lights that they could hold throughout the vigil.

President Aoun addressed the crowd, reassuring attendees that they weren’t alone in being upset.

“What happened yesterday has been very difficult on every member of our community,” he said. “And by community, I don’t focus only on our community at Northeastern, but our community in Boston, and whoever has been affected by this ugly and senseless act of terror.”

Robert Jose, Northeastern’s associate dean for cultural, residential and spiritual life, encouraged everyone to remember the strength of Northeastern’s community.

“As we go through this period in time, I would implore us to remember that we are here for a reason; a very important reason,” he said. “We are Northeastern. We are our community, and we stand fast in times of great trouble and difficulty.”

Aoun echoed the sentiments of a need for community, telling the crowd that “the fact that you are here this afternoon is because you felt that it is important, an important statement, that this community come together.”

Throughout the vigil, many people hugged one another, and some cried throughout the ceremony. After the speakers had finished, attendees were encouraged to turn to one another and share how they felt about Monday’s events, and the hopes they had “for healing and transformation.”

“I just really feel like it was our community,” Natalie Copley, a senior history major, said. “I mean, that was practically Northeastern’s campus. It just hit way too close to home.”

Another student at the vigil, middler nursing major Allison Gould, was volunteering at the marathon on Monday.

“I went into Fire and Ice to help a runner who wasn’t feeling well, and I come back outside, and it was like the flip of a switch. Everybody was running and screaming down Berkeley Street,” she said. “I had no idea why, but I didn’t even think to go with them. As a nursing student, it’s just innate.”

Gould said she didn’t really feel the full weight of Monday’s events until she got home. Staying around others and keeping to her routine, she said, would be her way of working towards returning to normalcy.

“I know that my friends and family are here if I need them, and all the resources on campus are here if I need them. It’s not going to be a day or a week, but you just have to almost play pretend.”

Aoun reminded those in the ballroom and those listening outside that the university is available as a resource for students.

“If you know anyone, any member of the community, of our extended community, who has been hurt, or needs help, or needs comfort, let us know,” he said.

Students who are looking for help or assistance can contact Northeastern’s WeCare program, at [email protected] or (617) 373-4384. Appointments at University Health and Counseling Services are also available by calling (617) 373-2772. Additionally, Northeastern faculty and staff can call the Employee Assistance Program at (877) 739-3989.