A global grief and shared strength

For many of us, September’s clear blue skies recall the devastating Tuesday in 2001 when terrorists targeted America within our borders. They killed 2,996 people, most of them U.S. citizens and more than 300 from other nations. 

The innocent lost that day were just the first of the victims we’ve counted since then. Their survivors—children, parents, siblings, coworkers, friends—are innumerable. Their grief, our grief—individual and collective—enveloped the globe.  

Today, I encourage us all to honor the memory of the Sept. 11 victims, including our alumni, Daphne Pouletsos ’76 and Lance Tumulty ’92, who died at Two World Trade Center. I ask that we honor the valor of the families who carried on and that we revere the brave who have acted with compassion and courage to bring relief to those who still suffer.

On the Glassboro campus, we will commemorate the day with flowers placed at our Sept. 11 memorial and with Bunce Hall’s chimes marking the moments that the planes crashed in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. Wherever the day finds you, please take time to reflect. 

Our world, even within Rowan University, is a global community, enriched by diverse cultures and people. I trust we can inspire each other to acts of kindness every day and especially as we live through joy and grief together, regardless of citizenship, political views or anything else.

My best regards,

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.
President