WMU honors the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States with 10 stories of remembrance: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Sept. 4, 2011 | WMU News
"There was a need for people to be together, should it be with their families or with other students for support," remembers Anderson, now vice president of student affairs.
That included identifying students who were from the greater New York area and helping them connect with loved ones, as well as students with Arab backgrounds to ensure they were safe, she says.
Helping identify students was Steven Palmer, current director of residence life, who had started with WMU just a few weeks earlier as associate director.
Steve Palmer was preparing to get married Sept. 15, 2001, in Pennsylvania. He and his then-fiancee, Laurel, who now teaches technical communication at WMU, had to make adjustments to their nuptials, as family and even Palmer found it very difficult to travel after the attacks. Their honeymoon to Las Vegas, however, was spared as the air travel ban was lifted the day they were scheduled to leave.
There were two services at Kanley Chapel the week of the attacks and a lot of informal, small meetings of friends. The following week, students set up several locations on campus to raise money for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
"The response from both the University and the broader community was one of profound respect, love and compassion for all who were impacted by the tragic loss. The outpouring of support reflected the care and compassion that are core to this community," Anderson says.
WMU honors the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States with 10 stories of remembrance: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
