Professor Librescu was a scholar and a gentleman -- who was always generous with his students, an extremely humble person, a very dedicated and inspiring teacher, and a very diligent researcher. I met him at numerous conferences, he always showed cheerful demeanor and always recognized research contributions of others. In my opinion, he showed true heroism on Monday. Myself, my family and my colleagues at the University of Maryland salute him for his bravery and sacrifice for others. God bless his soul in peace.

I met Mr. Librescu as a teenager when preparing for my confirmation at temple. We went to hear several Holocaust survivors tell their story to our small class. I remember vividly being so moved by his words, grace and compassion. I took with me that day a strong message to become a better person and practice tolerance. Over the years I have thought about everyone who spoke to us about their personal tragedies and have kept Mr. Librescu's advice close to my heart. I would give just about anything to let him know what an impact he had and how appreciative I am.

I am deeply saddened as an American, as a young Jewish woman and as a human being. I am comforted by the regular reports in the media that students, faculty, staff and the residents in town are banding together as a community to support one another during this unimaginable time.

I had Dr. Librescu for dynamics my sophomore year. He was very passionate about his work and would try his hardest to communicate the subject to us. He is definitely a hero and most importantly, a role model for all.

I met Liviu Librescu (and Mrs. Librescu) while finishing up a hike at Ragged Mountain in the Charlottesville area last year. I had thought I was the only person on the trail that day until I heard classical music playing ahead of me. When I rounded the corner there they were; walking together and enjoying some of the finer sights and sounds the world has to offer. We ended up talking for a while and I remember calling my wife to tell her of this fascinating couple I had met. I really admired them for being out there enjoying nature and each other.

Dr. Librescu was a member of my dissertation committee. While he was someone well versed in his field, he was very humble and gentle. I have wondered in the past few days how I would have reacted to such a terrifying encounter. However, Dr. Librescu has shown that in life's normal routine and abhorrent times, his courage was constant. I am proud to have known Dr. Librescu and members of his family.

Prof. Librescu belonged to the elite class of distinguished researchers and scholars in engineering mechanics. He was also a leader and organizer in organizing national and international conferences and symposia over the years, in addition to serving on many editorial boards and scientific committees. His contribution and leadership have been, and always be, recognized in the community. Prof. Librescu was not only a scholar and leader, but also a gentleman. His accomplishment reflects a superb standard in our profession.

Professor Librescu was well known in the aerospace engineering community. I have known professor Librescu for the past 18 years, ever since I was in graduate school. We attended the same annual conferences and worked in the same research area (composite structures). He was a true gentleman. [He was] always very professional and 'formal,' dressed in a business suit and very serious about his work. Professor Librescu had a good sense of humor and had many friends in the aerospace community. We are all deeply saddened by this tragic loss.

Early in my mechanical engineering studies at VT, I had the good fortune to have Professor Librescu for Dynamics. Intimidating as the subject matter was, I was even more intimidated by the presence of Professor Librescu. He knew Dynamics very well and respectfully demanded his students do the same. I remember him several times reminding us "you must know your dots and double dots" which was in reference to the fundamental equations of dynamics. With much effort, I survived the class and went on to complete my Mechanical Engineering degree. I still today think back to Professor Librescu and his tireless work ethic, and professionalism as one of several Professors I had while at VT that helped shape my own discipline, and work ethic as an engineer. My wife, who is an ME graduate from VT as well, and I are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our hearts go out to our alma mater, and all of the families touched by this tragedy.

Prof. Librescu is a respected teacher, humorous and decent. I took his aeroelasiticity course. He was my thesis committee member too. He is always there willing to help me whenever I go to his office. He saved those young hokies by the loss of his own. I am sure he did that without hesitating. The university is enriched by such a loving heart. We will forever remembering him.

I did my MS (1985-87) and PhD (1988-93) with Dr. Librescu as my advisor for MS and co-advisor for PhD. He was very caring about his students, and always welcomed them to his office for discussions. I remember the working lunches in his office where we discussed my research, and sometimes classical music and issues related to Indian, Israeli, and American societies. He shared his lunch if you happened to be in his office at that time. Above all he was a perfectionist in his work, which rubbed off on me. He was extremely dedicated and enthusiastic about his research and motivated students with his eastern European attitude, speaking, and gestures. We bonded very well, like Father and son. He was most welcoming during the late night discussions at his home, during the writing phase of both my theses. His wife Marlene was a superb host during these discussions. It appeared that he continued to work at home late into the night, and western classical music always played in the background. I am amazed that one can have such zest for academic work at the age of 76 years. I maintained email contact with him since my return to India in 1994, and since 2001 we were again working together and publishing. A few hours before the tragedy we exchanged emails about our future research. I was looking forward to meet him during a conference in Australia this July, since I could not meet him when visiting the USA in 2004. That is one regret that I shall always carry since we never met after I left Blacksburg in 1994.

Dr. Librescu was not only a professor but a friend. He cared for everyone in class and wanted us to learn as much as possible. He always talked to me after class to see how I was doing and how my day was going. He took the time to know his students.

The night before the tragedy struck my Opa passed away. I emailed Dr. Librescu Monday morning to see if it was okay to miss his class. He emailed me back in time to say that he regrets the loss of my grandfather and to please accept his sincerest condolences, and that we will worry about homework later. If it wasn't for him and his caring heart, I'd have shown up. I'll never forget him.

It was painful to read the name Liviu Librescu when the first names were released Tuesday morning. I got to know Liviu while taking his Laminated Plate Theory course shortly after he first arrived in Blacksburg. I was a Ph.D. student in the ESM Dept. and I learned a lot from Liviu both during his class and while working on my dissertation. Liviu impressed us all with his knowledge, enthusiasm, dedication, professional and polite manner, and above all, his encouragement of students. He always had time for his students. Liviu and his colleagues in the ESM Dept. prepared us well for our careers and the challenges ahead. I realize that we were fortunate and blessed for the time we all spent together and for the opportunity to learn from one another. Liviu was a leader in his field and we are proud of his accomplishments. He was a true gentleman and he set a great example for us to follow.