Northern Kentucky University students are divided over whether the university should memorialize the largest acts of terrorism ever on American soil as the second anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 approaches, but there is one thing that all students share in common.
Everyone remembers where they were and how they felt when they first learned of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the crash of a passenger jet in Pennsylvania.
Samantha Nickell, a freshman, doesn’t hesitate when asked about her recollections.
“Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 I was in my accounting class in high school,” she said.
“We turned (the television) on just after the first plane hit and I watched the second plane hit,” she added.
“I was in the computer lab for my chemistry class,” said freshman Angela Leistner. “I was shocked, surprised (and) upset, all at the same time,” she added.
Last year, on the first anniversary of the attacks, the Office Of Student Affairs sponsored a memorial service on the plaza in front of Steely Library, but no event is planned for this year.
Steve Meier, associate to the Dean of Students, said there are no plans for a 2003 campus memorial service.
Some students feel that NKU should hold future memorial services.
“I think what they did last year was sufficient,” said Michael, a sophomore who preferred to not give his last name.
“It’s good to take some time to remember what happened, and remember what it’s all about.”
Michael said he attended last year’s service, and he thinks the university should plan a similar event in the future.
“I think it would be nice to have a memorial to remember something so big,” agreed freshman Kevin Tischner. “It was a huge tragedy and something like that you need to continue to remember.”
However, not everyone agrees.
“It’s something that should be remembered, but not something that should be publicized like that,” said sophomore Mary Langguth. “It’s something that a lot of people are trying to forget about, so why try to bring back the memory of a horrible situation?”
Aaron Vick, a sophomore, said he would like to see an annual event, but he doesn’t think the university should sponsor it.
“I think on Sept. 11 there should be something that is maybe student-based,” Vick said.
“I think that’s a good way of memorializing what we went through and where we go from there.”