Vigil for Garza '11 unites community

Author: Anthony Adragna

Over 200 students, faculty and members of the community gathered for a vigil of hope Feb. 19, two weeks after Nicholas Garza '11 disappeared during February break.

Those in attendance wrote messages to the Garza family and lit candles at the front of Mead Chapel, where the event was held.

Chaplin Laurie Jordan told the community that the emotions they felt were normal given the situation.

"We're in this weird and crazy state of mind," Jordan said. "All of us are deeply concerned for Natalie [Garza, Nicholas' mother] and her family and that's why we're here."

Members from numerous religious groups on campus, including Hillel, Free Tibet, the Newman Club, the Islamic Society, the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and the Christian Science Organization read passages from various religious texts.

Jordan reminded those in the Chapel of the trying time the College had gone through over the past weeks.

"We have been in a difficult and challenging time over these past weeks," Jordan said. "We want to have hope but we're fearful."

President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz and Associate Chaplin Ira Schiffer also read religious passages to the gathering. Two musical pieces on the piano were performed for the audience as well. Dean of the College Tim Spears, Associate Dean of the College Gus Jordan and Public Safety officers also attended the event.

Garza, originally of Albuquerque, N.M., disappeared late in the evening of Feb. 5. He was last seen leaving a social event at around 11:30 p.m. from Stewart. After leaving the event, presumably to return to his dorm room in Allen Hall, Garza disappeared. Many of his possessions, including his laptop and iPod were still in his dorm room. He did not have his winter coat on and was wearing tennis shoes when he was last seen.

Members of the Vermont State Police Department concluded their on-campus search for Garza over the weekend after searching the Ridgeline area on campus, Dean of the College Tim Spears wrote in an e-mail to students.

The State Police may return to campus to search further in the future, Spears wrote.

"After this effort and follow up work on current leads, the Middlebury Police Department may request additional help from the Vermont State Police, if necessary, to search further when the snow pack melts," Spears wrote.

Members of the Facilities Services searched rooftops a second time this week for any signs of Garza. The Middlebury Police Department (MPD) continues to check snow banks along roadways and parking lots for any sign of Garza.

Natalie Garza believes her son remained on campus.

"He was around this campus," she said Saturday. "I don't think he wandered off. It's pretty open between the two dorms."

Spears said getting an answer for the community is an important part of dealing with the situation.

"It's terribly important to get an answer to the situation," he said. "We have to try and be patient. You deal with a search like this one day at a time."

Police continue to consider the possibility of an accident, but will also consider the possibility of abduction.

"I think there very well could have been a crime," Natalie Garza said. "I think it's very unlikely. Anything is possible though."

Natalie Garza admitted the last two weeks have been extremely difficult but said she would try and stay focused on the search.

"I'm just trying to stay in the moment and be as effective as I can with helping the police," she said.

A fund has been established to assist the Garza family with travel and other expenses during this difficult time. Those wishing to make a donation can write a check to the "Garza Family Fund" and send the donation to "Natalie Garza, c/o Margaret Falcone, 8444 Vista Verde, Albuquerque, NM 87120."

Those with useful information about Garza or his whereabouts have been asked to contact the College's Department of Public Safety at 802-443-5911 or the Middlebury Police Department at 802-388-3191.