College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu shared the following message to the campus community on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in recognition of the 20th anniversary of 9/11:
Dear Campus Community,
Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. As a campus community, we take this moment to remember and honor the fallen and those directly affected by the events of that fateful day and its aftermath.
I was teaching engineering in Indianapolis on that Tuesday in 2001. I remember watching the horrible images on the television screen and the feelings of confusion, anger and uncertainty: what’s going to happen next?
Many members of our campus community may not have been born or were just small children at that time, but 9/11 certainly shaped their lives, too, in ways both big and small.
Events such as 9/11 should serve as moments for us not to feel alone or separated. Rather, we should recognize and appreciate the comfort and power of our neighbors and fellow citizens.
In that spirit of solidarity, later today, at 4:00 p.m. in the Cistern Yard, the College’s Student Veterans Organization will hold a 9/11 and Afghanistan 13 vigil to honor those who lost their lives. I urge you to join that event or find a personal moment on Saturday to reflect on 9/11 and its impact on our nation and the world.
I hope the lessons we learned and continue to learn, especially in the midst of the pandemic, are that we, as a nation of diverse people with diverse backgrounds, can dust ourselves off, pick up the pieces and come back stronger from any tragedy. Because, in our unity, we are always stronger together.
Sincerely,
Andrew
Andrew T. Hsu, Ph.D.
President
College of Charleston
