Hailey KurthStaff Writer

DeKALB | There wasn’t an empty seat at the Steven R. Agee II scholarship fund kickoff Monday.

The event was hosted by Steven’s mother, Kimberly Agee, in the Holmes Student Center Capitol Room.

“I think it was a wonderful night,” Kimberly said. “So many students came out. I didn’t expect this. His fraterni-ty, Kappa Alpha Psi, did all the ground-work. All I had to do was show up.”

Steven was fatally shot in the ear-ly hours of Nov. 23 at 809 Edgebrook Drive.

He was a senior sociology major and involved in several organizations on campus, including Kappa Alpha Psi.

“The major decision [to create the scholarship] was when I saw my son ly-ing on a slab for the very first time,” Kimberly said. “I promised myself that his death would not be in vain, and this

has been part of what I’ve worked on since Nov. 23.”

At the kickoff, Kimberly talked about her son and why she decided to cre-ate the scholarship. She then allowed

friends of Steven to come up to the front of the room and share stories and memories they had of Steven.

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Felix SarverStaff Writer

DeKALB | Though many stu-dents were not attending NIU on Feb. 14, 2008, those who have joined the community since then are still reminded of the trage-dy.

That day — when Steven Ka-zmierczak entered a class in Cole Hall and opened fire, killing five students and injuring 21 before killing himself — continues to affect current students, though not all fear for their safety.

Lesley Rigg, associate dean for research and graduate affairs, said she thinks younger students are aware of the shooting.

Rigg said she doesn’t sense any apathy toward the tragedy from younger students.

“It’s a focal point for things that happen on campus,” Rigg said.

While many students who were at NIU during the tragedy are graduating or have graduated, the students who have entered NIU since the shooting are re-minded of it through on-campus memorials. Freshman psycholo-gy major Sarah Schwarz said she notices “Forward, Together, For-ward” signs across campus.

“[The shooting] brought the campus closer together,” Schwarz said. “Knowing that, yeah, it happened — what can we do to stop it from happening again? How can we get to know each other better to keep it from happening again?”

Sophomore communications major Walter Jones said he was in high school when the trage-dy occurred, but he continues to hear about the shooting. Jones did not avoid NIU because of the shooting. He said he could not resist the communications pro-gram NIU offered and felt the risks of another shooting were low.

Akin Bakare, sophomore busi-ness management major, said he feels the tragedy made a lasting impact on the campus.

“Ever since then, it seems like there is something happen-ing every two months,” Bakare said. “I think that shooting has cursed this campus.”

Other students feel different-ly about how safe the campus is. Jones said he knows if anything bad happens on campus, the po-lice will be there.

Students are aware there are safety issues at NIU and other university campuses are no dif-ferent, Rigg said. However, stu-dents know the tragedy brought NIU together.

“It’s less of what we have gone through and more of what hap-pened here, that we’ve survived something,” Rigg said.

Bakare said it is always good for people to remember the trag-edy, but they should not let it hinder them.

“You can’t let that stop you from what you have to do,” he said. “Keep yourself safe; keep your education going.”

the truth must bear all light ´ since 1899 www.northernstar.infotuesday, february 14, 2012

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what’s inside deKalb scene

simPsons | Page 05

As the Simpsons runs its 500th episode, members of the community speak of their passion for its strange yellow people.

what’s inside PersPectiVe

steaK & beer day | Page 08

If Valentine’s Day is for women, columnist Colin Remes asks: Why isn’t there a day for men? ...And shouldn’t it include steak?

forward, together | Page 03

The recipients of the Forward, Together scholarship have been announced. See who earned the honor.

what’s inside sPorts

coach’s corner | Page 11

what’s inside news

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Men’s basketball assistant coach Todd Townsend talks about his time at Marquette with Dwyane Wade.

Scholarship created to honor fallen Agee

youths reflect on campus tragedy

Northern Star File Photo

what’s inside sPorts

basKetball | Page 11

Jimmy Johnson loves NIU’s basketball teams and he’s not afraid to show it. At least he keeps the PDA to a minimum.

Jerry Burnes | Northern Star

A friend of Steven Agee II holds a notecard with a final message to Agee Monday at the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center. Patrons were asked to write a final message to Agee, which were attached to balloons and released following the event.