A Changed World, A Renewed Sense of Mission

By President Richard J. Cook

I vividly recall where I was-and what I felt-when, as a teenager, I first learned of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Some of you will remember with the same clarity what you had been doing when you first heard the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. With news coverage and commentary now essentially instantaneous and around-the-clock, who could doubt that today's young people will always remember their reactions to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001?

Shortly following news of the disaster, the campus community came together in ways unprecedented in our time. Ford Chapel filled to overflowing the afternoon of the terrorist attacks as students, faculty, and staff gathered to be with and to support each other; blood drives, relief funds, and candlelight vigils were set up; "community conversations" were organized. The staff and faculty provided information, gave counsel, promoted understanding, and looked after the safety of students on and off campus. I have never been prouder of Allegheny.

Allegheny students have been profoundly affected by this tragedy and related national and world events. Like all of us, their initial reactions of disbelief and horror turned to various combinations of grief, anxiety, anger, concern, and confusion. Considerable time may pass before all of us understand how our lives have been changed by the tragic and deeply moving events of the past weeks.

In the weeks following the attacks, we heard from many of you. Some of you shared your own stories from September 11, including your experiences as you aided rescue and relief efforts. Many of you in New York City and Washington, D.C., simply wrote to let us know that you were okay.

As far as we know, we did not lose any alumni or other members of our college community in the attacks, although we recognize that some of you, as some of us here on campus, have lost family, friends, and colleagues. Our national tragedy is made up of countless individual tragedies, and to those of you who lost loved ones in the attacks, I offer our community's deepest sympathy.

Through the initial horror and grief and the ongoing uncertainty and fear, we have been touched by inspiring acts of heroism and selflessness that demonstrate the resilience and goodness of the human spirit. Here at Allegheny, we will continue to do what we do best: teach. We must help our students learn why knowledgeable and active participation in the democratic process is vital, so that together we may build a more civil world.

If there were ever a time when the values and mission of a liberal arts education are needed, it is now. Knowledge of history, religion, politics, geography, languages, economics, psychology, natural sciences, philosophy-an understanding of human culture itself-is essential for our leaders and our citizenry as we work our way through this tragic set of events and the threats, uncertainties, and opportunities that accompany them. Alleghenians have always believed in the value of the liberal arts; now we must clearly demonstrate their value as we wrestle with a complex and challenging time.