Ottawa-born Virginia Tech professor recalls 'unspeakable tragedy'

Ottawa native John Hole, a geophysics professor at Virginia Tech, calls Monday's shooting rampage at the university an "unspeakable tragedy."

Hole, 44, a graduate of Carleton University and the University of British Columbia, has been teaching at Virginia Tech for 11 years.

He told the Ottawa Sun in an interview from Blacksburg, Va., he wouldn't be surprised if one or more of the 33 shooting victims were among his 80 students.

Hole said he learned of the news when he checked his e-mails at home Monday morning before heading to classes. He said he doesn't really know what to say and is "so shocked."

Hole said Blacksburg is a "small, peaceful, pleasant place to live." The population of the town is 38,000, but the university has an enrolment of about 26,000.

He added that Virginia Tech is a great university and he has no thoughts of not returning to class. He expects the university community will become even tighter and more supportive.