EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Candles illuminated the piles of snow in front of Beaumont Tower Wednesday evening as attendees of the candlelight vigil for Haiti earthquake victims left their lights behind in memory.

Earlier in the afternoon a public panel discussion allowed Nicholas Kerr, president of the MSU Caribbean Student Association, CSA Representative Eric Bailey and Reza Nassiri, head of the Institute of International Health and assistant dean of College of Osteopathic Medicine to discuss Haitian culture, history and current public health concerns. This was the first in a series of discussions that will continue throughout the semester on the challenges Haiti faces in rebuilding and recovery.

The panel, which took place in MSU’s International Center, concluded at 5 p.m. with participants walking together to the Tower for the vigil, where over 70 Michigan State University students, faculty and community members braved the cold to gather around the campus landmark at 5:30 p.m. to support those affected by the tragedy.

From opening comments by Peter Briggs, director of the Office for International Students and Scholars, to a message from MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and a prayer led by Rev. Dr. Gary Autry of campus ministry, attendees had the opportunity to bring these overseas events closer to home.

Political science freshman Terry Pharaon spoke on behalf of students of Haitian descent at MSU and members of the Caribbean Students Association held up signs and flags during a playing of the Haitian national anthem and moment of silence. To close the program the tower bells tolled 12 times-- to commemorate the date, Jan. 12, of the earthquake-- with seven seconds in between, signifying the 7.0 magnitude of the quake. For more information about MSU relief efforts and the "Help Haiti Heal " initiative, visit http://www.isp.msu.edu/CLACS/haiti.htm.