September 11, 2019 To the William Paterson community: As we mark today’s 18th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we should all take a moment to think about those whose lives were lost on that terrible day and in its aftermath. We should also remember those whose lives have been forever changed, including first responders, who put themselves in harm’s way, service members and veterans, those of us who were directly impacted or have family or friends who were, as well as those of us who lost friends, co-workers, and loved ones. As members of the William Paterson community, I know that we all lead busy, complex lives. Time to pause and reflect can be hard to come by. I encourage everyone to take a moment to think about what is most important in our own lives and, most importantly, be thankful for our loved ones. The most profound way that we, as a University community, can honor those who were lost on September 11 is to make a renewed commitment to help each other and be kind to one another. In doing so, we can demonstrate our respect for the sacrifices that were made on that tragic day and draw inspiration from the wonderful ways that our nation came together in the days and weeks that followed. So while we will never forget, we also should always remember the lessons taught about kindness, patriotism, and community. Sincerely, Richard J. Helldobler, PhDPresident
