Chris Mintz.

That is the name of the student at Umpqua Community College who was shot five times in his attempt to save others from a gunman who went on a shooting rampage on the school’s campus.  During the aftermath of the horrific shooting at the College, participants on social media have called for the widespread recognition of Mintz while stressing the importance of not popularizing the shooter.

The shooter has been identified as 26-year-old Christopher Harper Mercer, and the father of one of the victims said that during the shooting, Mercer intentionally targeted Christians.  While it is unclear why he targeted the college specifically, it was reported that he went into at least two different classrooms.

A total of ten people were killed during the incident, with seven others reported as injured. The father of one of the victims stated that the gunman went into the classroom, and said (to the professor) “I’ve been waiting to do this for years” and then shot the professor point blank.  Other reports say that he ordered “Christians” to stand up and then would shoot them when they emerged.

The gunman was reported dead earlier Thursday.

Chris Mintz is a 30-year-old military veteran and student of Umpqua Community College.  According to claims, he attempted to block the door to prevent the gunman from coming into the classroom, and was shot three times.  He then looked up at the gunman and stated “It’s my son’s birthday today”, to which he was shot at least two more times.  While it is still unknown exactly how many times he was shot, it is reported that both of his legs are broken.  He remains in stable condition at Mercy Medical Center.

President Barack Obama released a statement after the incident in which he indirectly pushed for stricter gun control laws, stating, “Somehow this has become routine,” he said. “The reporting is routine. My response here at this podium ends up being routine, the conversation in the aftermath of it. We’ve become numb to this.”

This incident is just one of the many that continue to seem more and more common in the United States.

In situations like this, it is important to publicize not the gunman, but the heroes like Chris Mintz.

*Quotes recorded from CNN.com*

By Victor Pusateri, WTOP-10 TV

Jacquelin White of the Oswego State Women’s Hockey team has been named the Eastern College Athletic Conference Women’s West Rookie of the Week for the second time this year. The first time she earned the award was three weeks ago.

White is a big reason the Lakers find themselves at 6-0 on the season and 4-0 in conference play. The freshman has scored a point in every game thus far, giving her a six game point streak to start her college career. This past weekend, White had two goals and one assist against Cortland.

The Lakers will return to the ice this weekend and head to North Country to take on the reigning Division Three National Champions, the Plattsburgh Cardinals. The Lakers and Cardinals face off at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

by Annie Flaherty, WTOP-10 TV

OSWEGO, N.Y. – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and SUNY Oswego is taking action on campus through a variety of events. The One Love Foundation and SUNY Oswego teamed up to share the story of Yeardley Love.  Yeardley was killed in 2010 due to a domestic violence altercation with her ex-boyfriend.

Yeardley’s mother, Sharon Love, aims to spread awareness through college campuses.

As a mother, Mrs. Love says, “my biggest concern was that she may be injured on the lacrosse field or, even worse, be hurt in a car accident. Relationship violence was never on my radar screen.”

SUNY Oswego “It’s On Oz” campaign held events this month.  Lisa Evaneski, the Title IX coordinator at SUNY Oswego set up workshops this past week addressing sexual and domestic violence, specifically in college relationships, and how to make Oswego’s campus a safer one.  Evaneski says these workshops are not just for students who have experienced domestic violence, but for everyone else on campus as well, so that they can recognize it.

This Thursday, October 20, SUNY Oswego students will be encouraged to “turn the campus purple” in honor of victims of relationship abuse and also to “shine a light” on the cause.  

Other events will be taking place on campus throughout October as well, such as the “SUNY’s Got Your Back” event, where volunteers will put together comfort kits for victims and survivors of interpersonal violence.

If you are interested in getting involved with It’s On Oz campaign, contact Lisa Evaneski by email at Lisa.evaneski@oswego.edu.