IU heals one year later

Students, faculty and Bloomington locals gathered around Showalter Fountain for the "9/11 Remembrance Ceremony," in honor of those whose lives were lost in last year's terrorist attacks. The event's keynote speakers included Chancellor Sharon Brehm, professors of English Kevin Young and Scott Sanders, Student Body President Bill Gray and IU President Myles Brand. The ceremony also included the presentation of three Sept.11 scholarships to memorialize IU's victims of last year's events.\n"We gather in sorrow of the tragic loss of these individuals," Brehm said as she stood in front of the IU Auditorium. "We stand in solidarity with all of the families. We have no guide books, no clearly marked path and no previous traveler to show us the way. The task of the living is to be defiant. To stand up for the new birth of freedom."\nWhile the afternoon wind blew through the solemn faces and the crackle of the leaves echoed in the stillness, Brehm asked those present to have a moment of silence in remembrance of those who perished.\nFollowing Brehm's speech, the University-wide choruses gathered to sing "America the Beautiful," led by Professor James E. Mumford. After the musical presentation, sophomore Wells Scholar Sangeeta Sakaria and IUSA President Bill Gray spoke to the audience.\n"On this historic occasion, I am overcome by our defiance in the face of this psychological assault," Gray said. "This Sept. 11 reveals a stronger country. We rediscovered our foundation under the rubble. We depend on one another. We sifted through our confusion and debris. They may have knocked us down, but only to see us rise again."\nGray went on to describe his pride and noted that students' will to move on exemplifies the characteristics of true Americans. \n"Let us all be resilient in the effort to retain (our) freedom," Gray said.\nAfter a vocal solo of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," by master soprano student Reyna Carquill, professor of English Scott Sanders gave a speech describing his feelings on Sept. 11. At the time of the attacks, Sanders' son was in Chicago working in the Sears Tower -- one of many national locations under scrutiny as another possible terrorist target.\n"This darkness of shared pain breeds suffering," Sanders said. "I wanted to wrap my arms around everyone I loved to assure myself that they were out of harm's way."\nSanders said he cried when he finally got ahold of his son.\n"Life had been reduced to the essentials," he said. "In the darkness of national calamity, what seemed important now seemed trivial. Our comfort has insulated us. A country is protected, secure and free when all its citizens are able to receive the basic necessities of life -- to go about their days in safety."\nSanders' speech was followed by the distribution of three Sept. 11 scholarships. The money for the scholarships was collected by the IU Student Foundation, which raised more than $100,000 from the earnings of the 2001 Little 500 events and private donations. The three $1,500 scholarships were awarded to Jean Marie Buckel, a senior from Indianapolis, Angie Marie Hornbach, a senior from Batesville, Ind., and Irene Raquel Menchara, a sophomore from Griffith, Ind.\nThe criteria for the scholarships were set by three IU students whose fathers died in the attacks. Graduate Joshua Goldflam, junior Rachel Jacobson and junior Jessica Moskal helped in selecting the winners who exemplified the characteristics and values held by their fathers. They also participated in Wednesday's ceremony.\nPresident Brand closed the remembrance events with his remarks on the anniversary and how the University has dealt with the events in the past year.\n"I reflect on this year, this sad day," Brand said. "And a year ago I have the images burned in my mind as I'm sure you do too. The horrible images of the burning buildings, people fighting for their escape and everyday heroes who risked their lives."\nBrand emphasized the importance of civic involvement on the part of students.\n"It's these everyday heroes that make our democracy possible. Let us each make our voices heard in debate and take part in our futures. I urge you to be active participants in this explosion of patriotism," he said. "We've drifted back to our old attitudes. Let us not move back to where our differences are problems. This campus, this University, this state, this nation can, should and will rise to that occasion. We are Americans, and we will do it."\nThe gathering was concluded with the singing of the IU Alma Mater, and many milled around afterwards to speak of their feelings about the afternoon's events.\n"I could have gone to class but chose not to," said sophomore Mike Molohon who sang with the choir. "To see this many people show support is incredible. There's just a huge sense of love and community between us. Whatever that feeling was, everyone felt it at the same time."\nMany also gathered around the podium in front of the auditorium where a quilt hung from the residential halls. After last Sept. 11, students made hand prints and signed their names with messages of support. \n"As the world goes on, so must our love for each other," one student wrote. "We must pick up the pieces and unite together as a country. We will out of our faith in God. Strength in numbers. Power in prayer"