it was also alex kogut's favorite color. h the idea as she comforted alex's former teammates. >> and i said, "so paint your pinkies purple, and this is for alex." you have more strength in your little finger than the worst thing that can come at you. >> reporter: two years later, there were still purple ribbons in alex kogut's hometown. still friends tending a college memorial to honor students who have died, at a college that has itself had to heal. a college that has since opened a center to raise awareness about dating violence. and there are still those, like paige whitney, who will never let the memory of a graceful, joyous, young spirit fade away. >> for the rest of my life, whenever i see purple i will think of her. whenever i hear a story of any type of domestic violence, i will think of her. and i will not stop telling her story. >>> that's all for now. i'm lester holt. this morning donald trump travels from saudi arabia to israel where angry officials reportedly had to be reprimanded by prime minister netanyahu. >>

. >> reporter: alex kogut and samantha turner met within days of arriving on campus, besties from they clicked with alex.