SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat Recent nursing school graduates Wendy Moede, Shannon Mead and Annmarie McNulty, hold candles at a vigil to mark the one year anniversary of the three nursing professors that were killed by a disgruntled student, at the College of Nursing last night.

More than 200 people gathered at a candlelight vigil last night to remember the lives of three nursing professors shot to death by a disgruntled student one year ago.

Students and colleagues of Cheryl McGaffic, Barbara Monroe and Robin Rogers were among those holding candles in the Arizona Health Sciences Plaza to honor the three nurses and educators and to support one another in their loss.

"They left a hole and a wound that have not yet healed," said Rev. Susan Moher Berryman to those assembled, as she led them in prayer. "It is almost unbearable that such caring women were killed. Let us resolve to be the bearers of this loss by committing to non-violence."

They left a hole and a wound that have not yet healed. It is almost unbearable that such caring women were killed. Let us resolve to be the bearers of this loss by committing to n -violence. - Rev. Susan Moher Berryman speaking on the loss of the three nursing professors

Those who attended lit up the plaza with their candles as speakers reflected on the lives of the three women.

"Cheryl was my friend and colleague," said Carol Feingold, a clinical associate professor in the College of Nursing. "I pray that we honor her death each time we are caring for someone who is suffering."

Feingold said McGaffic was a good teacher because she made sure that the college produced nurses who were caring healers.

"She had a passion for social justice," said Feingold, adding that McGaffic volunteered her time with Amnesty International and fighting the AIDS epidemic.

She was sarcastic, and she was never intimidating. She let us know she was there to be our mentor and make us into great nurses. - Eliza Ramirez on Robin Rogers

Angela Muzzy, also a clinical assistant professor, reflected on the time she spent getting to know fellow professor Barbara Monroe.

"I miss our deep conversations; she was so down to earth," said Muzzy. "When she had to fail a student, she did what she had to do even though it broke her heart."

Melanie Romo, a nursing graduate student, spoke to those assembled about the loss of Robin Rogers, her friend and mentor.

"I picture her at her desk, door open, always working on something - but always willing to talk to students about anything," said Romo. "In Robin, I found a mentor to challenge me."

Setiva Wyrick, a nursing senior, also spoke of her experience as a student of Rogers'.

"Robin was the pure definition of the perfect nurse. She poured her heart into everything she did," Wyrick said.

The vigil ended with the singing of the hymn "Let There be Peace on Earth."

"I didn't come out here to remember what happened. I came out to remember them," said Eliza Ramirez, a nursing senior. "The vigil definitely helps bring closure."

I didn't come out here to remember what happened. I came out to remember them. - Eliza Ramirez nursing senior

Ramirez was in a pediatrics class taught by Rogers and thinks she was a great teacher.

"She was sarcastic, and she was never intimidating. She let us know she was there to be our mentor and make us into great nurses," Ramirez said.

I felt complete shock and disgust; it was the last thing you'd ever expect - Kate Wilson former student of Robin Rogers

Kate Wilson, another student of Rogers', said she came to the vigil to show her support and not forget what happened that morning one year ago.

"I felt complete shock and disgust; it was the last thing you'd ever expect," said Wilson, remembering the day of the shootings. "But I don't think it's changed the dynamic of the school. We're pretty resilient."

Nursing senior Jameela Ameen was never taught by the three professors, but attended the vigil to show her support for those impacted by the tragedy.

"I think its great the way students and faculty have pulled together," Ameen said. "I think the shock has passed, but there is still a great deal of emotions surrounding those events."