Thousands gather on Arts Quad to share in remembrance, prayer

President Hunter Rawlings, lower right, speaks from a podium on the Arts Quad Sept. 14 to some 12,000 people gathered during the midday memorial vigil on the national day of prayer and remembrance. Robert Barker/University Photography

By Blaine P. Friedlander Jr.

Three days after the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, as many as 12,000 members of the Cornell and Ithaca community gathered Sept. 14 on the Arts Quad to share in a national day of prayer and remembrance.

The memorial convocation may have been the largest gathering on the Arts Quad in Cornell's history. Numbers of people in the crowd came holding hands, others waved small American flags or wore ribbons pinned to their shirts -- and many were crying.

Kurt Koester, a graduate student in horticulture, wore an American flag tie. "I feel awful," he said. "I'm wearing the tie out of respect for the people killed." Cully Dorer '03 wore a white T-shirt with "God Bless America" handwritten on the front and explained: "I feel for the victims, and I want to show my support. Hopefully the people of the United States will stand together in dignity."

In McGraw Tower, chimesmasters Lauren Marino '02 and Elizabeth Wallis '02 tolled the bells welcoming the community to the gathering, as thousands somberly entered the quad from all corners of campus under cool, breezy and azure skies. Wallis closed the chimes concert with a rendition of the national anthem.

Cornell President Hunter Rawlings began the convocation by expressing deep sorrow about the tragedy and acknowledging the suffering and sacrifices of many families and police, fire, medical and other rescue workers. "As they have all week, Cornellians have again today gathered to mourn the losses suffered by numerous families and friends and to demonstrate our support in helping them cope with profound personal grief," he said. "Cornell is united in its response to the events of this week, Cornell is united in its condemnation of terrorism, and Cornell is united in its sympathy for the innocent victims of violence and hatred."

Rawlings also reminded those assembled that the university is an open, academic community based on diversity. He said: "In the midst of this week's tragic events, it is essential that we reaffirm Cornell's core value of academic freedom and the responsibility that goes with it. What can we do to help the nation bind up its wounds? We will do what we do best: educate our students in open classrooms and campuswide teach-ins; conduct our research and scholarship in open laboratories and libraries; and publish our work in open journals and airways. That is the best response to the evil of terrorism, which lives in secret and thrives on hatred."

Cornell President Hunter Rawlings addresses the Arts Quad gathering Sept. 14. Robert Barker/University Photography

An American flag was added to the statue of university founder Ezra Cornell on the quad's west side. Robert Barker/University Photography

Walter LaFeber, the Marie Underhill Noll Professor of American History emeritus, spoke somberly of the winds of war. "We remember, when we must, that the United States is the world's most powerful nation: militarily strong while others feel defenseless; rich, while others are poor; often culturally dominant, while others fear the loss of their ancient traditions," he said. "We should remember from the study of a long history that these disparities will inevitably change. If we are fortunate, wise and remember, we will help guide that change, rather than having changes imposed on us."

LaFeber reminded the crowd that the founders warned a republic cannot be both ignorant and free. "Two hundred years later, in a time of instant mass communication and disappearing borders, we remember that this insight means that we cannot be both ignorant of other peoples and remain free; that we cannot be intolerant of great cultures and races with which we share a shrinking planet and remain free; and that we cannot surrender centuries-old constitutional principles, especially in checks on each branch of government, and remain free," he said.

Looking at the events of Sept. 11 and the days ahead, LaFeber said, "We must therefore always mourn these victims of the new war - and we must remember them, not least because they warn us that innocence and ignorance of others have no place in the new world, where technology makes these others our neighbors; and because we remember that their deaths will have been in vain if they result in a war, which will necessarily be long and costly, in which we do not remember the fundamental values of our individual rights and our individual obligations to a larger community, for which we fight this new war, for which so many have died and for which others will give their lives."

Theater arts major Jessica Heley '02 read the moving poem "Easter Morning," by the late Cornell professor A.R. Ammons.

The Rev. Kenneth I. Clarke Sr., director of Cornell United Religious Work, provided a meditation: "Eternal God, our hearts and thoughts and prayers reside with those who mourn; with those who wait; with those whose hope of hearing good news grows dim; with the people of this country whose national life has been irrevocably altered by the tragedies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania."

Clarke prayed that, as the country expresses its collective grief, people not vent their anger toward blameless cultures, races or faiths. He said, "We pray, instead, that we might be inspired by the countless examples of men, women, boys and girls across this land, indeed across the world, who have offered help, assistance, comfort, compassion, love and support."

He continued: "We pray that from the ashes of these horrible events there will emerge a phoenix undergirded by the winds of justice and truth, peace and understanding, respect and acceptance. It is our prayer that these winds, these winsome virtues and not the winds of war, will help shape the greatest memorial we can erect to the many thousands now gone."

Following a moment of silence, the Cornell Glee Club and the Cornell Chorus ended the vigil with four selections: "MLK (Martin Luther King)," "All My Trials," "Ani Oyo" and "The Evening Song."

Noni Korf Vidal, right, and Megan Shull were among the Cornellians gathered for the midday vigil on the Arts Quad Sept. 14. The gathering may have been the largest ever on the quad. Robert Barker/University Photography

Ugandan-born Samite, a musician who once fled his country and now makes his home in Ithaca, led the singers in the rendition of "Ani Oyo" -- or "Who is there?" -- and with his encouragement, the crowd joined in.

For those unable to attend the convocation, an initial video streaming version of the event is available on the web at http://streaming1.video.cornell.edu:8080/ramgen/cu/remembrance_914.rm. RealPlayer software is required to access the file. A more comprehensive tape of the convocation will be available at a later date.

Cornellians making contributions:

Members of the Muslim Educational and Cultural Association (MECA) and the Cornell Arab Club distributed 500 black arm bands before Friday's vigil. The group has raised $1,800 since the attack to send to the families of the firefighters and police officers who died while responding to the crisis. To contribute, contact Shaffique Adam at sa234@cornell.edu.

Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity members provided information on Ho Plaza on area blood drives and on assisting the Salvation Army. By midday Friday, the fraternity had collected $2,600 to help in the relief effort. To contribute, contact John Zelenka at jfz4@cornell.edu or call 256-7174.

The Cornell Student Assembly pledged $45,000 from the Students Helping Students fund for Cornellians who suffered directly from the Sept. 11 tragedy.

The Cornell Office of Alumni Affairs has set up a Cornell September 11 Disaster Relief Fund. For information on contributing to the fund, contact the office at 254-7121. Online giving also is available at the following web site: http://www.alumni.cornell.edu/giving/.