Purdue ROTC marks 25 years since 9/11 with Memorial Steps of Sacrifice

Members of Purdue ROTC go up and down stairs in athletic venue

Purdue ROTC members go up and down flights of stairs in Mackey Arena during the 9/11 Memorial Steps of Sacrifice. (Purdue University photo)

September 14, 2026 Izzy Karpinski

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue ROTC hosted the 9/11 Memorial Steps of Sacrifice on Friday (Sept. 11) at Mackey Arena.

ROTC cadets, active-duty service members, veterans and first responders came together to honor the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. After a performance of taps and remarks by Purdue Fire Chief Brad Anderson, participants climbed the stairs of Mackey for one hour and 42 minutes to signify the span of time between the first plane striking the World Trade Center and the collapse of the second tower.

Proceeds from the event supported a Purdue ROTC scholarship established in memory of the lives lost 25 years ago on 9/11, helping advance the educational aspirations of future U.S. military leaders.

Man in fire uniform speaks behind microphone with blurred group in background — Purdue Fire Chief Brad Anderson speaks to participants before the 9/11 Memorial Steps of Sacrifice. (Purdue University photo)

Seated ROTC members listen to speech — Army ROTC members listen to remarks before starting to climb stairs for one hour and 42 minutes. (Purdue University photo)

Wide shot of group seated in Mackey Arena — ROTC members pose for a photo in Mackey Arena. (Purdue University photo)

Female ROTC member goes down steps of Mackey Arena — An ROTC member goes down steps during the 9/11 event. (Purdue University photo)

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a research institution ranked among the top 10 public universities in the United States. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. As a land-grant university committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free.