Members of the fall 2007 GST class of Math Origami, led by Alan Russell, associate professor of mathematics, folded the cranes in honor of the victims of the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings. The students then arranged the cranes in the shape of the black ribbon commonly used to symbolize the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Russell had his students visit a Web site to learn more about each of the victims before they began to fold cranes to celebrate the victims’ lives.

The cranes were delivered to Tom Brown, Virginia Tech's Director of Students. Elon’s associate dean of students and Virginia Tech community member Rex Waters made the delivery. 

Waters is a Virginia Tech alum, and his daughter currently attends the school.