"Our Lives Have Changed" Adelphi Faculty and Students
Mourn and Unite after a National Tragedy

by Mark Ginocchio

Photo by Pace University student J. Sutton, brother of Adelphi University student, Marley Sutton

The Adelphi Community, like the rest of the world, watched in horror as the tragic events on September 11, 2001 unfolded. The Twin Towers crumbled to the ground like a set of toy-building blocks, and the Pentagon, the symbol of the most powerful military in the World, was attacked with hijacked commercial jetliners used as weapons of mass destruction. The death count is expected to reach the "thousands." People are slowly but surely realizing that the world we woke up to on the morning of September 11, is now a much different one.

"Our lives have changed more deeply than most people even realize," commented Honors College Dean Richard Garner, who was one of the many solemn individuals who gathered around a television set in the Earle Hall lounge the morning of September 11.

Adelphi felt the effects of the attack almost immediately after it happened. Professors who frantically tried to get in touch with family and loved ones whose lives may have been in danger cancelled classes. Students ran to their dorm phones, or grabbed their cell phones in a harried search for answers. After many hours of fear and frustration most people at the University discovered that their loved ones were safe. However, there were others who were not as fortunate.

"My Aunt was in there [the World Trade Center]" said freshman Kara Corrente. "We haven't heard from her. I'd like to disillusion myself and say I have hope, but I won't."

Within a few hours, Adelphi President Dr. Robert A. Scott issued a memo acknowledging the gravity of the situation and asked the student-body to try and resume their day as planned. He added though, that those who needed to g home and be with their families, could leave. However, only a few hours after that memo, another one was issued, stating that classes after 5 PM would be cancelled.

Meanwhile, classes at Adelphi's Manhattan Center remained cancelled through Wednesday, September 19. The Women's Volleyball game September 13 against Southern Connecticut was postponed as well as the Student Activities trip to the Feast of San Gennaro on September 16, and the New York City Scavenger hunt on September 22.

As the day progressed students were urged to seek help from the Student Counseling Center if they needed it. Debbie Ramirez, the Director of the Student Counseling Center said, "There hasn't been a lot of response, but I don't think this has fully hit people yet." She said that there were students who were directly affected by the loss of friends and family, but that they had gone home to be with their loved ones. When asked if she thought when there would be a bigger response at the center from students, she said, "as days progress, stories trickle in and when people see the skyline, it's going to hit them."

Dean of Students Jeff Kessler told the Delphian that he had been going around campus talking to students about the tragedy. He said that there have been a "variety of responses. Some who have been personally affected, others who feel a sense of loss and some who have nothing to say."

The day after, the Adelphi Community bonded together to try and help those in need. Signs were posted around campus with information regarding donating blood at Winthrop University Hospital. The University even provided transportation for some students although Kessler said that because of the volume of people who responded to the need for blood, many people were turned away.

A prayer vigil sponsored by the InterFaith Council took place at 11:30 AM on September 12. Donnie Pecor, a student in attendance said that the atmosphere was "very somber and solemn." He added, "people who weren't even 'religious' were there. It was all about being together." According to Pecor, University Center 202-203 was filled to capacity.

In his address to the University on September 12, President Scott told those in attendance, that not for many generations had we experienced a challenge like the one we were faced with. However, he remained confident, "that we would prevail." Scott also stressed that we all should "continue our lives as normal."

On behalf of Adelphi's Athletic Department, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and CHAMPS began asking the Adelphi community for food and clothing donations to give to the police officers and firefighters who were doing all that they could in the city. The flier stated that the officers specifically requested, "pretzels, peanut butter, bread, juices and clothing such as socks, sweats, and t-shirts." Lackmann Food Services even prepared boxed lunches to send out to the rescue workers.

As the Delphian went to press, many questions regarding the hideous attacks in New York and Washington remained unanswered although one thing seemed certainly clear: the Adelphi community echoed the camaraderie and unity that is being spread across the globe despite this tragedy. Despite this awful tragedy, Adelphi showed that it, like the rest of America, can survive the worst.