Professor is Virginia Tech Hero

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen Apr 18, 2007

A stunning tale of humanity has emerged in the news coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre. Liviu Librescu, 76, a distinguished lecturer of engineering science and mathematics at Virginia Tech, sacrificed himself to save the lives of his students. When the gunman tried to enter his classroom, Librescu blocked the doorway with his body so that his students could escape. (Read the whole story in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.)

Professors whine about their students, just as their students whine about them. But ideally, professors feel a sense of responsibility for our students and their well being. It's not just about assigning grades and filling students' heads up with information. It's about giving them valuable pieces of guidance that will make their lives richer. The love that Librescu showed to his students is inspirational.

This story is even more poignant because Librescu was a Holocaust survivor. As a Romanian Jew, he was one of the lucky ones amidst so much death and despair. In Jewish law, there is no act of human kindness (or mitzvah) greater than giving one's life to save another. There is something deeply moving about someone who escaped death during the Holocaust and then, after living a full life, sacrificed himself to save a room full of young people.

As a professor and the granddaughter of Romanian Jews, I am deeply proud. Thank you, Professor Librescu.