President Gonzalez shares a message, Remembering September 11, 2001: Twenty-Five Years Later

Dear OHIO Community,

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 individuals who lost their lives and to honor the countless first responders, military personnel, and ordinary citizens whose courage and sacrifice shaped our nation's response in the days and years that followed.

A quarter century later, September 11 remains a defining moment in our shared history. For many Americans, the memories of that day remain vivid. For many of our students, however, it is a historical event known only through the stories of family members, teachers, and community leaders. As time passes, the responsibility to remember and to learn from that day becomes even more important.

Tomorrow morning, members of our Army ROTC program and the broader OHIO community will gather at Peden Stadium for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Challenge. With every step climbed, participants will honor the firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, service members, and civilians who lost their lives that day. Thank you to our ROTC cadets for leading this powerful tradition and to all who will join in honoring the courage, sacrifice, and memory of those we remember.

The legacy of September 11 is not only one of loss. It is also a story of resilience, service, and unity. We remember the individuals who rushed toward danger to help others, the communities that came together in grief and determination, and the values that continue to guide us today.

At Ohio University, our mission calls us to prepare students to lead, serve, and contribute to the common good. As we reflect on this solemn anniversary, may we honor the memory of those we lost by strengthening our commitment to one another, to our communities, and to a more compassionate and understanding world.

Tomorrow, as our nation marks another anniversary of September 11, let us pause to remember, reflect, and carry forward the spirit of service and sacrifice that emerged from one of our nation's darkest days.

Sincerely,

Lori Stewart Gonzalez, President
Ohio University