NIU’s fraternities and sororities have received emotional and physical support from other universities’ chapters.

Alpha Phi Omega received support through e-mails, handmade cards and signed posters since the Feb. 14 shootings, APO President Tom Heneghan said.

Heneghan said the University of Virginia sent a signed banner, the University of New Jersey sent a card wishing well and Elmhurst College sent 30 handmade cards.

“A paddle was sent to us with a black and red ribbon on it,” he said of a gift from Loyola University Chicago.

Millikin University in Decatur had a vigil in the last week and sent a signed banner, he said.

Heneghan is thankful for the support from other schools.

“Seeing the support made us feel good inside,” Heneghan said. “It’s amazing and helps with the coping and the healing process.”

Alpha Phi Gamma received support through the Asian community at NIU.

President and Philanthropy Chair Stella Fuentes said support and communication was received through the Asian American Center. The director of the center made phone calls to see if everyone was all right, she said.

Fuentes said they received supportive e-mails, phone calls and photos of students wearing red and black at vigils from other universities right away.

“They were saying that they were thinking of us,” she said.

Vigil photos were sent from the University of Missouri at Columbia, Michigan State University and San Diego State University.

Fuentes said the amount of support showed how much people care.

“It’s very impressive with all the tremendous amount of support,” she said. “People that don’t even know us contacted us to see if we were okay.”

Coed fraternity Alpha Psi Lambda sent support through e-mail, text messages, Facebook and telephone calls.

External Vice President Vanessa Mendoza said chapters throughout the Midwest sent their support, among them Ohio State University, Loyola, Northeastern Illinois University, DePaul University, Illinois State, Texas State University and Florida Atlantic University.

Fuentes said photos were sent to the chapter.

“They showed pictures of ribbons of NIU in their school windows; all of them wore the ribbon,” she said.

Fuentes said alumni came to a chapter meeting and talked about support and moving on.

“It takes anything to happen to appreciate everyone,” Fuentes said. “The alumni told us to look to our left and to your right and tell them you love them.”