Update from Karen: “First, thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to sign this petition. Your comments of support and love brought us comfort during a time when we were (are) essentially inconsolable. Second, it was so disheartening when Rita Chang, the president of NAU, chose to not only ignore the petition, but to ignore our repeated requests for a meeting. She didn’t respond to our emails or calls, and basically went “radio silent” on us, when all we were asking for was the opportunity to be heard. Nick loved this school. He considered it his second home. But we would now be very wary to recommend that any parent send their child to NAU, because of how they treated our son in response to an on campus shooting, on their watch. But now for the good news: when there is a will, there will always be a way! Nick’s dear friend, Amira Alameri, filled out two name cards to be read: one for herself, and one for our Nicholas, and she handed them Nick’s card first, and THEY READ HIS NAME! She did this at the expense of possibly not having her name read at her own ceremony. We thank Amira from the bottom of our hearts; Amira, you are truly our hero! We would also like to thank the unwavering support of Nick’s fraternity brothers at Delta Chi, not only for your love of Nick, but for making sure his presence was heard and felt at the commencement by chanting his name. We are grateful for these miracles in the midst of such a dark time. And we imagine Nick in heaven, throwing his hat in the air, and congratulating each of his friends on their accomplishments as well. You’ve all worked so hard, and we are truly a community, one that we cherish very much. Again, thank you, and I send my love to all of you. "