Indiana Alumni Magazine

An American Tragedy

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 had a profound impact on Hoosiers, especially those close to Ground Zero.

It was a day like no other.

Students and faculty who had early classes were just starting to arrive at IU's campuses on Sept. 11. Those who turned on their television or radio, or logged onto a news Web site, learned that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City at 8:45 Eastern Daylight Time. Within 18 minutes another plane would smash into the second tower. Within an hour a plane would slam into the Pentagon, another would plunge into a field in rural western Pennsylvania, and the twin towers would collapse.

Those at IU watched or heard the news in horror. Meanwhile thousands of workers and tourists, including several IU alumni, headed to the WTC or the Pentagon, or were already there. The two first-person accounts that follow give unique perspectives. Students in an IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs class attending a conference at the Pentagon barely escaped. They were only 50 feet away from the area of impact. And an alumna whose office is across the street from the trade center explains why she didn't make it to work that morning.

Others with IU connections were affected even more directly. The New York Times mentioned Katie Marie McCloskey, BS'98, among those missing and presumed dead. She is the sister of Noah McCloskey, BS'92. Gary Lee Bright, who earned a Purdue BS in 1991 at IUPUI, also perished. And according to Barry Gellers, BA'81, president of IU's New York club, David Graifman, the husband of Christine Huhn, MBA'99, is missing and presumed dead. "They came to Time Out the Thursday before the attack to watch IU's loss to North Carolina State," Gellers relates.

Two students lost their fathers, both of whom were at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. IUB sophomore Jessie Moskal, of Brecksville, Ohio, withdrew from school to be with her family but plans to return in January. Rachel Jacobson, a first-semester IUB freshman from New York City, left for home on Sept. 13 to be with her family but hopes to be able to catch up with her classes.

Chris Masterson, BA'95, a New York City police officer, worked at the WTC crash site from the beginning. "I've been going to a lot of funerals," he reports. "We lost 23 police officers and over 300 firemen." He encourages contributions to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 3713, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163.

CAMPUSES COME TOGETHER

Classes continued to meet, but life on IU's campuses was anything but normal after the terrorist attacks.

Security was heightened even as various gatherings, vigils, and prayer services throughout the week brought members of the university community together. A few isolated incidents of harassment to international students were roundly condemned. Athletics events, including the Hoosiers' home opening football game against Kentucky, were postponed or canceled through Sept. 16.

IU President Myles Brand issued a statement to stress the institution's sorrow and concern about the national tragedy. The IU Alumni Association conveyed that message to international alumni.

Classes continued to meet to provide an opportunity for faculty members and students to discuss the issues and to share their thoughts. Brand directed all campuses to close for a two-hour period at midday on Sept. 14 in response to President Bush's call for a day of prayer and remembrance.

Memorial services were held on IU's campuses. Wreaths were hung on the Sample Gates at IUB and placed at the Michigan Avenue entrance and at University College at IUPUI. Similar ceremonies were conducted at IU East, IU Kokomo, IPFW, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast.

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