This past week’s Times Talk, was about 9/11, and the discussion was lead by nontraditional students Gregory Frye, Betsy Metler, Christopher Davis and James Galewski.
There was a big turnout of about 30 to 40 people.
Students showed a sense of shock while listening to and telling their own personal stories. The youngest in the group was only 8 years old and in the third grade at the time of the attacks. Faculty and staff of all ages were shocked about what they heard; many of them could not believe that grade school kids saw the towers bombed on television at such a young age.
“I’m lost for words about it,” Betsy Metler said when she began to speak on her own personal feelings and thoughts about 9/11.
Everyone was very attentive during the discussion and fed off of each other’s thoughts and feelings, and many agreed that the event mentally changed everyone and that generations think differently about the day. Nothing but sympathy was shown and seen by many as stories were told.
Chelsea White, a UTM student, remembers sitting in her sixth grade math class when the vice principal came in and told her teacher, Mrs. Jean Faulkner, to turn on the television to the news.
“Most of us had never heard of the Twin Towers at that point in time. We couldn’t comprehend what we were seeing on the screen. It wasn’t until our parents slowly started checking the kids out that we realized how much this would impact our lives,” White said.
Many issues were brought up like safety and at what cost and what lengths America has gone to become a safer country. Many believe that America is safer than it was before the attack.
Times Talk is sponsored by the Institute for Civic Engagement (ICE) and has a discussion every week on Thursdays in the back room of the cafeteria. There is also a discussion forum on the week’s topic in Blackboard.
Dr. Mike McCullough is the director of the ICE and Chara VanHorn, Jessica Butkovic, Katie Noles, Dr. Heidi Huse, Suzanne Peckham and Mary Jean Hall take care of the organization and put together the meetings.
