College Community Responds To National Crisis
The Washington College community gathered after the terrorist attacks of September 11 to mourn the senseless loss of innocent lives and to stand together in compassion for those who lost friends and family.
As word of the attacks spread that morning, professors put aside their coursework and encouraged students to discuss what was happening. Later, College President John Toll cancelled classes for the remainder of the day and urged students, faculty and staff to comfort one another. In his campus-wide message, he said: “I implore all to remember that we are a community of learning, of tolerance and of understanding. Please remain calm and help others who may be concerned or whose families may be affected by these tragedies.”
In the Washington College community, several were personally touched. The father of one student was confirmed dead in the attack on the World Trade Center. Three other students have parents who worked in the World Trade Center, but who, mercifully, were located, either safe, or in one case, in critical condition in a New York City hospital. A relative of another student was a pilot aboard one of the United Airlines flights out of Boston. Yet another student has a brother who is a Marine guard at the Pentagon, and was initially among those missing. In addition, many, many members of our community know of friends and extended family who were lost in these attacks.
The College responded by making grief counselors available and by organizing programs on campus to allow people to come together for comfort. In one ceremony, a wreath was placed at the base of the George Washington statue in acknowledge-ment of the college com-munity’s deep sense of sorrow and solidarity. Provost and Dean of the College Joachim Scholz gave brief remarks. “It is a time to remember that even in Chestertown we are members of a global society. As an educational community, we remain united in our pursuit of truth, united in the love of the wisdom that grows from it, and united in our commitment to peace around the world,” Scholtz said.
Students quickly organized a massive blood drive for the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
On September 14, in response to the President’s Proclamation, Washington College joined the nation and the world in a Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks.
“Let today’s gathering also be an expression of hope,” Toll said. “Let us remember that the human spirit is indomitable and cannot be crushed by the vicious hand of terror. As we reflect on the lives of those who have perished, let us honor their memory by dedicating our labors to the pursuit of peace and wisdom.”
Jay Griswold, chairman of the Board of Visitors and Governors, also gave remarks. “As we reel from the devastation and loss of life in New York, in Washington, and in Pennsylvania, and these affronts to the symbols of a free democracy, we come to understand that the very fabric of our country has been torn. Just as the landscape of New York is changed, so America is changed.
“Yet the spirit of the American people remains unflappable. Even in our tremendous sense of loss and sadness, we begin to take solace in the emerging stories that speak to our humanity. We find victories in each rescue of a fallen firefighter, in the messages recorded by hostages held in the skies, in acts of heroism as passengers attempted to wrest control of a plane from the hijackers, in the compassion shared between strangers in time of crisis.
“I urge you as you work through all of the emotions to reflect on the broad sweep of history. Much has happened to this country since 1782, tragic and triumphant. God bless Washington College, God bless America.”
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