In response to the sudden death of James Barnes, the student found dead in Leebrick Hall, a candle light vigil will be held Thursday at the painted rock on front campus at 8 p.m.

Kent State’s chapter of To Write Love On Her Arms organized the event even though none of the members knew Barnes’ personally.

Jessica Corson, president of TWLOHA, said it was important to the group to have the vigil.

“I guess just because we believe in community and that no life should be forgotten,” Corson said.

A friend of Barnes’ from his undergraduate days at Slippery Rock reached out to Corson Monday and expressed an interest in attending the vigil to speak about Barnes. The group’s Facebook page created for the event lists more than 500 people as attending.

Coroson said during the day Thursday TWLOHA will have a table on the first floor of the Student Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. People will be able to write memorial message or notes, and Coroson said she is looking into the possibility of giving the messages to Barnes’ family.

Corson said she and the other members of TWLOHA hope the vigil provides a place for students to express their feelings about the tragedy.

“It just touched our hearts and we wanted to do something to help out.”

Contact Anna Staver at [email protected].

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