2001
[It seemed like time to bump this entry, which we originally posted a year ago, to today. Where were you eight years ago?]
From the 2002 Kronicle:
Keene State Campus Responds
Keene State’s immediate response to the terrorist attacks was focused on ways to help students cope with their emotions. President Yarosewick sent a letter stating that in a time of such devastation, the best thing for the school community was for students to go about their days in the usual way.
“One vital contribution you can make is to continue the process of learning, even in this terrible week, because education is the commitment we all have made,” said Yarosewick.
On the night of the attacks, hundreds of students joined together in a candlelight vigil to pray for those involved in the attacks and their families. Graduating senior and folk performer, Antara, sang a song she had written called, Directions, dedicating it to the unknown numbers who had lost their lives that morning.
Many faculty members, staff and students of KSC felt that emotions should be openly discussed. The Counseling Center offered a Grief/Loss Support Group and a Disaster Support Group. In the campus newsletter, Judith Putzel Price, interim director of the Counseling Center said, “There’s no right or wrong way to react. Being strongly affected is normal and to be expected.”
A 911 Scholarship Fund was created in order to assist Keene State students who may have been affected by the terrorist attacks on New York, Pennsylvania or Washington, D.C.
The scholarship was initially funded with a $1,000 donation by Michael McCarthy, a communications lecturer, and his wife Susan. “Our goals are to preserve the memory of the events of September 11 and to help students who might have been affected by thse events,” McCarthy said. Additional contributions were made from factulty, staff, the alumni association and a grant from Pepsi.
“The fund will always be known as the 911 Scholarship Fund, but in the future, scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrate a dire need for assistance’ who without financial aid, would be unable to continue their education,” explained Laurie Tilton, assistant director of advancement at KSC.
KSC also added a new course for the spring of 2002. Emergency Management and Community Defense will address community emergency management. Just one example would be the need for organization and leadership in the aftermath of a terrorist attack.
—Heather Skidmore
