Jon Laubinger - Student Trustee
Remarks at Campus Vigil
September 11, 2001

Thank you to everyone who came together to try to help the campus cope with today’s catastrophes.

In the face of these sad, sad events, the selfless people who put aside their own shock and grief to help and support campus community, these people are symbolic of the human spirit triumphing in the face of enormous tragedy.

My condolences and my prayers go out to all of you have lost a loved one in the tragic events of today. The campus mourns with you.

To everyone on campus whose world has been turned inside-out, we are here with you.

We know the events that happened today won't make sense today, tomorrow, next month, or ever… but we are here together working through this.

Today, we watched evil terrorists destroy some of our nation’s most venerable institutions. We all watched on TV while thousands of lives were lost. Our sense of security is shaken. But we here represent the one institution that NO ONE can destroy with bombs or guns or any act of terrorism… we represent the greatest institution of all. The human spirit. Hope.

We must now come together, as a community, and in our common humanity heal the gaping wounds that have been opened today. My heart goes out to all of you.