A vigil was held Wednesday afternoon on Northrop Mall for missing University student Chris Jenkins.

Family, friends, lacrosse teammates, University students and faculty gathered to hear Jenkins’ mother, father and sister talk about their hopes of finding Chris and the continuing search efforts.

Jenkins’ mother Jan described Chris’ personality as “the life of the party,” breaking into tears at times.

“When (Jenkins) walks in the room, everyone gets a smile on their face,” said Jenkins’ friend and roommate John Hohn.

The family also thanked the efforts of Minneapolis police and everyone who participated in the search for Jenkins before police became involved.

Ben Kroon, a friend and roommate of Jenkins, said the vigil was important for those in the University community to get involved if they haven’t already.

“It made more people aware Ö and showed how much we care,” Kroon said. “It was good for the (Jenkins family) to see that.”

Hohn said he and Jenkins’ other roommates are doing as well as can be expected considering the circumstances.

“We’re hanging in there,” Hohn said. “It’s a grief – a slow grief, but it’s not over.”

Jenkins was last seen on Oct. 31 at the Lone Tree Bar and Grill in downtown Minneapolis.

His family and friends began an extended search effort for Jenkins the following day. On Monday, a missing persons report was filed with the Minneapolis Police Department after Jenkins had been missing for 72 hours.

On Tuesday the FBI’s Minneapolis division opened a preliminary inquiry into the possible kidnapping of Jenkins.

– Erin Madsen