Purdue ROTC hosts 2025 9/11 Memorial Steps of Sacrifice

Purdue ROTC hosted the 2025 9/11 Memorial Steps of Sacrifice on Thursday (Sept. 11) at Ross-Ade Stadium.

ROTC cadets, active-duty service members, veterans and first responders came together to honor the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Beginning at 5:40 a.m., participants climbed stadium stairs for 1 hour and 42 minutes — the span of time between the first plane striking the World Trade Center and the collapse of the second tower — completing the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs. The effort paid tribute to the courage of first responders who climbed the towers that day.

Ian Hyatt, chief of staff to Purdue University President Mung Chiang, also gave remarks at the event.

Proceeds from the event supported a Purdue ROTC scholarship established in memory of those lost on 9/11, helping advance the educational aspirations of future U.S. military leaders.