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First Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for Suicide and Prevention, Take Back the Night Event Held on April 11 Monday, April 22, 2024

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Photos by Natalie Caine '25 and Randall Coleman
Senior Morgan Smith, who organized the event, led the campus walk through the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh.
Point Park staff participated as a team in the event.
Participants chose from bead colors that represented their connection to the cause.
Marlin Collingwood, VP of Enrollment Management, gave remarks at the opening ceremony.
A light rain fell during the opening ceremony and throughout the walk.
Walkers came from both Point Park and the local community.
The walk proceeded around Market Square.
In the evening, Take Back the Night featured information and representatives from campus and local organizations.
Representatives from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape spoke with Point Park students.
Representatives from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape spoke with Point Park students.
Purple glowsticks represented domestic violence awareness and teal represented sexual violence awareness.
The University Counseling Center offered information on the possible creation of a sudent mental health group on campus.
Representatives from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape spoke with Point Park students.
Campus Events for Suicide Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness — 13 images
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Campus Events for Suicide Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness — 13 images Photos by Natalie Caine '25 and Randall Coleman
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People walk down a street carrying a sign that reads "hope lives here."
Senior Morgan Smith, who organized the event, led the campus walk through the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh.
A group of people stand in front of a AFSP sign.
Point Park staff participated as a team in the event.
A sign indicates colors of beads participants could wear.
Participants chose from bead colors that represented their connection to the cause.
A man speaks into a microphone in Village Park.
Marlin Collingwood, VP of Enrollment Management, gave remarks at the opening ceremony.
People stand holding umbrellas in Village Park.
A light rain fell during the opening ceremony and throughout the walk.
People walk through Market Square.
Walkers came from both Point Park and the local community.
A group of people walk behind the Hope Lives Here sign in Market Square.
The walk proceeded around Market Square.
Two students stand at a high top table
In the evening, Take Back the Night featured information and representatives from campus and local organizations.
Students talk
Representatives from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape spoke with Point Park students.
a student laughs
Representatives from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape spoke with Point Park students.
A student works on a project at a hightop table
Purple glowsticks represented domestic violence awareness and teal represented sexual violence awareness.
A table with papers
The University Counseling Center offered information on the possible creation of a sudent mental health group on campus.
Students stand around a hightop table talking
Representatives from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape spoke with Point Park students.

On April 11, Point Park University held two inaugural events to bring attention to the difficult but necessary topics of suicide prevention and sexual assault. 

In the morning, participants in the Out of the Darkness campus walk — to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — gathered in Village Park. While some may have been kept away due to the rain, a couple dozen people made up of staff, faculty, students and community members participated. Senior Morgan Smith, Marketing and Sales major, organized the event and opened the ceremony with remarks about her personal loss from suicide. Marlin Collingwood, VP of Enrollment Management, also shared about his loss due to suicide and encouraged anyone in attendance who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts to "just stick around one more day." The walk route took participants down Third Avenue, through Market Square and back down Boulevard of the Allies, to return to Village Park. The fundraiser raised $7,805 for the AFSP.

In the evening, the University Counseling Center hosted the Take Back the Night event to raise awareness and prevention of sexual violence on college campuses. The event was partly funded by the It's on Us PA grant. Students were encouraged to sign the It's On Us pledge and fill a banner with teal (sexual assault awareness) or purple (domestic violence awareness) handprints, along with a message of hope. Campus organizations and community partners such as Pittsburgh Action Against Rape; Strong Women, Strong Girls; Allies for Health and Wellbeing and the University Counseling Center supplied resources for attendees. Point Park University was again awarded the It's On Us grant for the 2024-25 academic year, and Take Back the Night will return next year.