25 YEARS AGO TODAY
The world changed…
September 11, 2001. Many people over a certain age can remember exactly where we were when we heard the news of the Twin Towers being attacked by terrorists who hijacked commercial airline jets and flew them into the two iconic American buildings, killing 2,753 people. But as we move further away from that infamous date — today representing a quarter century — what messages should be passed along throughout generations to come? What would those who have memories of September 11, 2001, want to share with a generation that only knows of the events of that day — and the weeks, months and years that followed — by way of class discussions, videos and history books. Our AUDIOLOG dives into that very question, with audio clips from faculty, staff, administrators and students.
Christy Jung
Christy Jung, professor of broadcast media and director of the Broadcast Media Program, recalls a time of brief and wonderful national unity during these otherwise horrific times, as people from all walks of life bonded together in grief, prayer and help for those in need.
Julie Sullivan
Julie Sullivan, director of development, alumni and parent engagement, recalls hearing about the events of 9/11 while working at her first job and the experiences that followed: the country’s widespread desire to buy American flags as a symbol of unity and her own overwhelming feeling that she needed to go and pray with her church family.
Brian Coulter
Brian Coulter, an experienced educator and student success advisor at Missouri Baptist University, recalls hearing the event over the radio while teaching a group of students. He shares that there is no comparable feeling or historical moment to describe the shock and devastation of 9/11. Coulter hopes to preserve the gravity of that day for future generations who have never experienced a world before September 11, 2001.
Sarah Marie Woodson
Sarah Woodson, director of career development at MBU, remembers being in the fifth grade when the attacks occurred. With a mother as a first responder and a father who was in the military at the time, the day holds personal significance. Woodson reflects on the strength and unity that emerged in the hearts of American citizens following 9/11.
Al Fuller
Al Fuller, coordinator of international student services, believes that the most significant thing for younger generations to know about 9/11 would be the way that it brought the country together. The country was united, as Americans, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation.
Krista Huse
Krista Huse, coordinator for the dean of students office, recalls heading into work at Missouri Baptist University when she first learned about the events of 9/11. While in the office with the former dean of students, the second plane hit the South Tower in New York City. Huse recalls Dr. Lacey, former MBU president, canceling classes and calling for a time of prayer and worship in the Chapel. Staff and students alike came together in the midst of fear, chaos and uncertainty to place their trust in God. Regardless of what would come from the attacks, Huse recalls a supernatural sense of peace and safety that filled the campus.
Allin Means
Dr. C. Allin Means, professor of journalism and communications and associate dean of the School of Communications, recalls a day that revealed short-term truths and long-term understandings. The immediate aftermath reminded us of the value of telling powerful, history-changing stories, as our student journalists did admirably. In the long term we are reminded that freedom can be fragile and should never be taken for granted. We must always remember that our sense of security, stability and strength can only be found in our faith in Christ Jesus. In times of uncertainty, God is our one and only constant.
Marc Lillibridge
Marc Lillibridge, head football coach at MBU, reflects on the loss and brutality of September 11. He shares that the intended motive to break the American spirit yielded an opposite effect. The country came together and displayed the power of national unity in a way that had never been seen before.
Jamie Martin
Jamie Martin, the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for MBU football, hopes that younger generations remember the scale of disaster that followed the 9/11 attacks. He recalls the sheer volume of lives affected and lost that day, urging that the memory be respected and preserved with each passing year.
Stefan Edinger
Stefan Edinger, training officer for public safety at MBU, recalls 9/11 as a turning point in his life. As a freshman in high school, he remembers the chaos of that day, with new information emerging from class to class. In 2006, at the height of the Iraq War, Edinger left college to join the Army, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. The decision had been on his heart since that day in 2001.
A Generation That Only Knows the Stories They’ve Heard…
September 11, 2001. Students currently in college, or even a bit older, were not even born when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers. Their only knowledge of that fateful day — or the days, weeks and months that followed — came from the stories they heard later in life, as they got older. So what are their reflections on this historic event, which they only know about secondhand? This portion of our AUDIOLOG dives into that very question, with audio clips from students at MBU.
James Grossman
James Grossman is a senior majoring in business administration at MBU. He recalls an early recollection from his youth of his parents telling him where they were in 2001 when the devastating news reached them and the sympathy from non-Americans that followed.
Ryleigh Sandifer
Ryleigh Sandier, a junior nursing major, recalls hearing about Sept. 11, 2001 from her parents when she was young. Sandifer reflects on the sad nature of the event and shares a story from her mother, who was in New York City during the tragedy, where she nearly went inside one on the Twin Towers. Sandifer points out that God’s providence was evident in her family’s story, even through a terrible tragedy.
Baylor Vaugh
“I WASN’T ALIVE, I’M JUST GOING OFF OTHER PEOPLE’S MEMORIES.”
Baylor Vaugh, majoring in exercise science, remembers his earliest memory hearing about 9/11 was in 5th grade. Vaugh recalls watching videos in school about the terrible event. He points out that any knowledge he has of the event comes from other people’s memories, since he wasn’t born yet when the tragedy took place.
The World Trade Center just before impact (right click to see large image).
The World Trade Center right at impact (right click to see large image).
The World Trade Center immediately after impact (right click to see large image).
* Photos are public domain, courtesy of the U.S. Parks Department.
* AI was used to sharpen a 350px image.
Today’s AUDIOLOG is presented by the following MBU Timeline staffers: Brooke Highmark, Abby Hutchison, Drew Lawrence and Kailey Schmidt
