Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Officals continue to search for Christmas tree culprit

By Heather Templeton

hntempleton@vwc.edu

On Dec. 10 Virginia Wesleyan awoke to find that the campus Christmas tree had been cut down in an act of vandalism against the school.

Anger and concern ran through the campus community as the news spread. Facebook statuses expressed the emotions of the students in response to the crime. The statuses ranged from blatant anger to threats to those involved.

 The senseless act of vandalism is an affront to our community and to the values expressed in our Virginia Wesleyan Creed, wrote President William T. Greer Jr. in an e-mail following the event.

 This is the tree where our community gathered only last Friday, to light the tree and sing carols, as has been our annual custom for many years.

The tree had been planted several decades ago in honor of an alumnus who had lost his life as a Navy SEAL while serving the nation.

Greer s e-mail expressed his  personal outrage and sorrow in response to the tree. The outcry resulted in several individuals coming forward to offer a $1,000 reward to be given to anyone who provided information that would assist in the identifying of the culprit.

Students returned to campus for the second semester, to fine a new tree and plaque in place but still no answers.

 It was a huge violation, said Greer.  It was more than just a prank, and the campus is disturbed.

Currently the money has yet to be awarded. Greer explained that over 85 people have come forward with information on the incident; however, nothing is solid enough to find anyone guilty of the crime.

 We re trying to stay hot on the trail, said Greer.  The challenge is to get concrete evidence. But we re hopeful that will happen.

In the immediate days following the incident, four security guards who had been working the shift when the tree was cut down were let go. Rumors arose that these officers were dismissed in response to the incident.

Director of Security Jerry Mance said there was  no direct connection between the dismissing of the officers and the act of the tree being cut down.

 Security conducted an internal investigation of its officer whereabouts when the tree was cut down, said Mance in regard to the immediate response that Campus Security took.

Greer also denies a connection between the dismissal and the act of vandalism.

 Not true, he said in to the rumor.  Security can t be everywhere at all times.

As security experiences another turnover in staff, the school continues its search for the person(s) involved in the  senseless crime that shook the campus community.