Dear friends:

The pain, horror and sorrow of the past two days will stay with each of us for the rest of our lives. I believe, too, that the kindness, compassion and support shared by all the members of the UAlbany family have given each of us, not only the strength to persevere, but another lasting memory — a memory of shared human love to contrast our memory of pain and suffering for so many.

The qualities this University family has demonstrated in these trying hours and days reflect the very best of our common values and beliefs. We have worked together in organizations, from the Presidential Honor Society to the Physical Plant department to Residential Life to Chartwells to the Counseling Center. And we have acted as individual, caring members of the University family. I have watched as strangers reached out to comfort one another. Faculty, students and staff have called to ask how they can help — or simply stepped forward to do what they saw was needed to be done. Thousands joined hands in our prayer vigil and Unity Walk. And, in a very real sense, even after our hands have separated, our hearts remain as one.

I cannot express how proud I am of every member of our community. We have faced one of the most tragic and frightening events of our time with courage, sensitivity and caring. We have difficult days yet to come, but we know that we can count on one another to help us through them.

As many prepare to leave the campus for the upcoming break, I want you each to know that you leave with my thanks, and with the love and support of this entire community. We all will return to campus. We will resume our learning and discovery and service. We will rebuild our lives and our society, partly with the skills and knowledge we gain here, and partly with the generous and caring support we give one another. God bless each of you.

Karen R. Hitchcock
President, University at Albany

9/13/01, 2:45 p.m.