A letter from President Barker, September 14, 2001
The tragic events of Sept. 11 in America are very difficult for us to understand. They present real challenges for us as individuals, real challenges for us as a campus community and real challenges for our country.
Under these conditions our faculty, staff and students have responded as a true community. Reports of faculty and student engagement in class and out of class, nurturing, educating and listening have been inspiring.
The Clemson Family is real. It has shown itself as never before, and each of us will need this strong family in the days to come. The Clemson Family includes our alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends and all of their families.
It is very important to remember that the Clemson Family includes students from all 50 states and students from 73 countries. Each of these students is a vital and valued member of the Clemson Family. It is important that we not misdirect our emotions or anger toward anyone on this campus or in this community or elsewhere because of their race or nationality.
On the day after the terrorist attack, my office received a wonderful and thoughtful letter from the Muslim Student Association of Clemson University. This letter expressed these students' sadness and concern for the victims of this tragedy. All members of the Clemson Family feel the same about these terrible events.
On Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001, Memorial Stadium truly reflected its name as 1,500 members of the Clemson community and campus gathered on the field for a "Tribute to America." The brief patriotic ceremony honored the memory of people killed in the terrorist attacks and showed support for the nation's leaders and the men and women involved in rescue and disaster-relief efforts.
At 1 p.m., when Clemson would have kicked off its third football game of the year, cadets from the University's ROTC program unfurled a large American flag and marched down the hill onto the field as we sang the national anthem.
We were reminded of Clemson's proud military heritage — the thousands of Clemson men and women who've served America and those who've died for our continued freedom.
The memorial program focused on patriotic symbolism and individual reflection rather than speeches. It included a 21-gun salute by our Pershing Rifles student corps and the playing of "Taps." It was a proud and sad moment that gave the Clemson Family a sense of resolve.
After "God Bless America," we began filing out of the stadium, left in our thoughts of victims and heroes and our proud country.
Then I saw a group of our Indian students standing silently in the west stands near the exit, holding a banner. On it were painted images of the American and Indian flags and hands in a clasp of cooperation. It read: "Let us wipe out terrorism. Bring Peace Back." As the crowd began to notice them, too, other students joined their group in a show of both diversity and solidarity. Members of the Clemson community applauded these students' quiet and powerful message.
I'm proud of the way we've come together in the face of this unspeakable tragedy. And we will continue to do so, even as subsequent actions and events unfold. Though we can't predict what will come next, we can promise that we will support the world's stand against terrorism - whether it be through our military, through research and development for armed services, or through global education and outreach.
And we will do so as one Clemson.
James F. Barker, FAIA
President
'Tribute to America'
NBC's national television network, National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," ESPN Sports Center, CNN SI and Fox Sports Net South's "ACC Live" all carried the University's Tribute to America held in Memorial Stadium on Sept. 15, 2001. The patriotic ceremony honored the memory of people killed in the terrorist attacks and showed support for the nation's leaders and those involved in rescue and disaster-relief efforts.