Message from the President
Message from the President
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Text of speech by Purdue President Martin C. Jischke to students at a candlelight vigil Wednesday (9/12) on the West Lafayette campus
Our nation has suffered a great tragedy.
We all feel the wounds, very personally, very deeply. An attack upon any part of this nation – an attack on any individuals of this nation– is an attack upon us all, and the freedoms we hold so dear. We at Purdue University join all Americans in mourning the innocent lives that were lost in Tuesday's terrorist attacks. Looking for a way to respond, many of you have already donated blood. That is quite commendable. It is part of the great spirit of this country that in times of crisis, people rush forward and give of themselves to help those in need. It is likewise part of the great spirit of this country to respond to crisis with courage, dignity and determination. Purdue University, all American institutions, and all of us here this evening are resolute: We will not give way to hatred. And we likewise will not be overwhelmed by hatred ourselves. We are gathered here this lovely September evening to demonstrate our heartfelt compassion for thousands of families who have been devastated by these horrible events; to demonstrate our unity with one another – a unity from which we draw courage and strength; and, to demonstrate to ourselves and to the world our unbending resolve for a better tomorrow. The nation this evening is in a state of shock – and deep mourning. We are mourning the senseless loss of life through acts that we cannot explain rationally. We are mourning the jarring loss of peace and security we all once felt in the everyday places that define our lives. Shock and mourning are important emotions that should not be ignored or suppressed. Some people are also experiencing fear, uneasiness, a sense that life is spinning out of control. We can help one another overcome these feelings. It is important for us to come together as we have this evening to give one another hope. At times such as this, it is very important that we not be ruled by fear or – even worse – by anger. In life we can all be hurt more by our own anger than by any anger that is ever directed against us. Part of the greatness of Purdue University is the rich tapestry of this community. We come together on this campus from locations all around the world. We are from different regions, different nations, different faiths and philosophies. Our commitment on this campus is to the recognition, appreciation – indeed a celebration – of the value and worth of every individual. Our commitment is to inclusiveness for every person. We all learn from our differences and grow in our togetherness. These are the roots of peace and prosperity. Intolerance, bigotry, and hatred are the roots of all terrorism. In response to this week's horrific events, many of you are asking what you can do. One thing you can do is fight intolerance, bigotry, and hatred wherever you find it. We must ensure that attacks, such as those we witnessed Tuesday, will not victimize us by corrupting our individual and national spirit. We cannot fight hatred with hate. Dr. Martin Luther King said: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. "The chain reaction of hate begetting hate ... must be broken, or we shall all be plunged into the abyss of annihilation." In response to this week's events, justice is required – but not hate. The students on this campus are part of the hope for tomorrow. You are going to have to build the future based on peace, understanding, compassion, and love – not unrest, bigotry, intolerance, and hatred. What we as Americans need to do this evening is come together to recognize our loss and to unify in our determination to build a better tomorrow. On a dark night more than 100 years ago, Purdue's brand new Heavilon Hall – with its majestic, high bell tower that had come to symbolize the university – burned to the ground as the campus community watched helpless in tears. The Purdue family was devastated – confused, mournful, shocked; perhaps even angry. The next morning their President James Smart sparked their spirits by saying: "I tell you – that tower shall go (back) up, one brick higher." It became the rallying cry of Purdue – to build on adversity, and to always build higher. Tuesday morning our national spirit sank with those majestic, symbolic twin towers in New York City. But this evening I tell you, dear friends, we shall build our country and our national spirit back up – one brick higher. PHOTO CAPTION: 
To the Purdue Responds to Terrorist Attacks Page
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