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September 11, 2002: A Moment of Remembrance

University of Minnesota
Robert H. Bruininks, Interim President
September 11, 2002

It gives me great hope to see so many students, faculty, staff and friends of the University here today.

It’s important for us to come together here as a University. We are, at heart, a community, one that was not attacked directly last year, but one that felt the pain and the aftermath keenly of the tragic events of September 11.

Our friends, relatives and alumni of this University were taken away from us on that day, as was our sense of safety and inviolability as a nation. We must not, and I daresay we will not be able to, forget the horrific images that seared themselves into our memory last year.

As a university, we are an organization whose ideals and values, drive its policy decisions. Sometimes, in the face of overwhelming events, policy seems like an inadequate response. But I believe it’s important to note that we have made changes to our safety plans, to the structure of our public safety agencies, and improved the security around our research and education mission in the wake of September 11.

These are important changes, because they address how safe people at the University feel. As I told our new Freshman class last week, this University is committed to the safety of the people here, and I believe it remains a safe place for all of us here.

As our emotions and empathies around September 11 showed, though, we are an institution that is contiguous with and enmeshed in a larger world. The diversity of this University--as represented by the many who travel here or whose parents immigrated here--is a valuable asset.

Not only are we enriched culturally and spiritually, not only are we challenged intellectually by the perspectives of others, but the tolerance and openness we exhibit reaffirm this country’s most enduring values. We also reaffirm the most important values of this university community.

Last year, former Pres. Mark Yudof recited a passage by Carl Sandburg that represents the creative reinvigoration and reinvention that this country has always taken on in the face of adversity. I’d like to recite it now:

I see America, not in the setting sun of a black night of despair ahead of us, I see America in the crimson light of rising sun fresh from the burning, creative hand of God.

I see great days ahead, great days possible to men and women of will and vision.

Together, beginning here on the Northrop Mall today, we can create a more tolerant, respectful and peaceful world. Let us commemorate together our deep losses as a people and a nation, but let us also leave with a sense of hope and renewal as we look to those "great days ahead." Thank you.

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