Houston Yu, a Virginia Tech senior who is regimental chaplain of the school's Corps of Cadets, delivered a prayer at the White House on Thursday, the National Day of Prayer.

Col. Richard "Rock" Roszak, alumni director of the corps, who was present at the ceremony, said the invitation came in the wake of President Bush's visit to Tech after the April 16 shootings. Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam was also present at the White House ceremony and was among those Bush pointed out in the audience at the start of his speech.

Transcripts of that speech read, in part: "We ask His [God's] comfort of the victims of tragedy, and that the injured may be healed and the fallen may find comfort in the arms of their Creator."

Yu could not be reached for comment Friday. Roszak said the senior was taking finals. The corps chaplain is not ordained and does not have a formal religious role. The student holding the title is expected to counsel struggling cadets and to participate in memorial services, Roszak said.

-- Albert Raboteau