The sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt were accessed from The Name Project out of Cedar Falls. The size of the quilt in its entirety covers 25 football fields and is displayed in Washington, D.C. every few years.

Some portions of the quilt that were displayed Wednesday night had connections to Waverly. These included a block made for a graduate of Waverly Shell-Rock High School who died of the disease and one made for the birthmother of a child born with HIV who was adopted by a family in Waverly. The sections of the quilt will be in Iowa for two weeks.

For the first time at Wartburg College, a candlelight prayer vigil for AIDS Awareness was held. Approximately 50 Wartburg students, faculty, and Waverly community members were in attendance. Linda Moeller, director of communications and marketing, spoke about the loss of a former faculty member who died of AIDS in 1988. A student from Ghana also gave his thoughts on the holocaust of AIDS that is taking place in his country. A silent walk around campus by vigil participants followed to make others aware of the epidemic.

Following the prayer vigil was mid-week Eucharist, where chaplain Mark Pell spoke. Pell works at Cedar Valley Hospice and takes part in the Cedar AIDS Support System.

"At least we can make those with AIDS feel accepted. Opening our eyes is one thing, but maybe this will help to open our hearts to HIV and AIDS victims," said Chris Hill, who works at the Health and Wellness Center.