The return of Sept. 11 brought about many different feelings for students on campus. Thursday night nearly 1,000 students gathered on the Drill Field in front of the Swalm Chemical Engineering Building to remember the tragedies that occurred only a year before and the many lives that were lost. “I think it is very appropriate that we all come together in our busy lives and take time out to remember the events of a year ago and what they mean in our country. It is also important that we focus on the future and how we can help ensure that people understand each other better to avoid such threats to our sense of being American,” MSU interim President Charles Lee said.
The leaders of various student organizations on campus joined forces to plan this event as a place for students to unite on the evening of Sept. 11 and remember the misfortunes that so many people endured the year before.
“All of the leaders of the big student organizations on campus under the Division of Student Affairs came together, and we all agreed that we should have a program, and then we just all contributed different ideas. We decided we wanted for it to be as simple as possible. This wasn’t the type of occasion, obviously, that you want a pep rally-type atmosphere,” Parker Wiseman, Student Association president, said.
The student attendance was much more than expected, and there were not enough candles for everyone, but that did not seem to matter. Students of different races, religions and classifications, with different reasons for coming, all united on the Drill Field and supported each other in a time of need.
“The fact that everybody came out and everybody was involved in it showed support, so it said a lot for Mississippi State. This big of a turnout when we’re all the way south in the United States really meant something,” senior Angie Andrews said.
“Everyone came here for a common cause, to remember one thing,” junior Lou Alford said.
The event began with Jeffery Pappas, assistant professor and director of choir, leading the students in singing “America the Beautiful.”
Wiseman then made a speech on the importance of remembering September 11.
He was followed by a speech from President Lee about freedom, patriotism and heroism. In his speech Lee reminded students “freedom is not free, each generation, it seems, must pay its share of the price.”
Oktibbeha Country Red Cross Director Cerese Teel then spoke, thanking MSU students for their support during the times of need and their involvement with the Red Cross and explained the Red Cross’s efforts in aiding 9/11 victims.
“Over fifty-five thousand cases have been opened to assist families and they are still assisting, especially financially and mental help counseling. Eleven million meals have been served…A total of sixty shelters have been opened…Fifty-seven thousand disaster workers have responded to these three areas, and of that fifty-four thousand were volunteers,” she said.
President of the National Panhellenic Council, Tammie Ferguson then reintroduced Pappas, who led the students in “God Bless America” while the candles were lit. A moment of silence followed, and was concluded with a moving rendition of “Taps.”
Students were very thankful for the chance to come together on this night, and everyone seemed overwhelmed by the number of students who came out to pay tribute.
“This event promoted unity and real patriotism; it encouraged it not just when something bad happens. Blacks and whites and all of the other races on campus came together for one goal,” senior, Marquis O’ Banner said about the services.
“I think it was encouraging, it was somber, but encouraging. It was a reminder,” junior Ashley Harris said.
“I thought it would be a good way to show my support for the country and what we stand for,” junior Brian Freedman said.
“It was encouraging to see everyone come out in support of the country,” junior, Laura Herron said.
“It was really moving and it was unbelievable to see that a year has passed and even though I may not have been effected directly, there’s been a lot of things happen since then that leave a mark on everybody,” junior, Megan Woodard said.
“It was great to see all of these people out here, especially in a little community like Starkville, so far removed from the metropolises of New York and Washington DC. This is what that American spirit is all about. It’s the little towns and all of the people across America no matter who they are or what they represent that came together,” Wiseman said after the event.

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Grant Holzhauer