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Campus responds generously to East Coast tragedy

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By Shirley Melikian Armbruster

The dollars are still coming in, T-shirts are being sold and prayers still uttered as the Fresno State campus community continues to respond to the tragic events in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Faculty, staff and students responded quickly to the events of Sept. 11. President Welty hosted one of the first Fresno memorial services the day after the attacks. Upwards of 2,000 people gathered in the Peace Garden for a time of reflection and hope.

The Council of President's Scholars, the official student organization of the Smittcamp Family Honors College, quickly offered white "Peace Ribbons" for a $1 donation to the American Red Cross.

On Sept. 14, hundreds of Fresno State students gathered in front of the Kennel Bookstore for a noontime prayer vigil, organized by campus Christian organizations.

As the university carillon tolled the noon chime, it also began playing a series of songs, including "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful." Dr. Welty had directed the carillon to sound for five minutes immediately at the beginning of the noon hour.

Students for Community Service helped coordinate the university's role in "Our Community Helps Their Community," a fund drive with the Red Cross and Fresno radio station 102.7 FM. Student-athletes and coaches participated in the drive, which collected more than $100,000.

An Athletic Department fund-raiser will benefit the family of Navy Lt. Cmdr. Otis Vincent Tolbert, a Bulldog football alumnus who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon. The family will receive proceeds from the sale of commemorative Tee-shirts that pay tribute to the victims of Sept. 11 attack. They are available at football games for $20 each in specially designed vending machines, as well as at the Bulldog Shop.

Tolbert, who led the Bulldogs in sacks in 1983, is survived by his wife and three children.

Tolbert and other victims of the terrorism were memorialized with a moment of silence at the Sept. 29 Homecoming football game in Bulldog Stadium. The game also included patriotic pre-game and halftime shows.

The Athletic Department and university student organizations also organized a donation effort for the American Red Cross at each home game beginning with Homecoming.

Bulldog fans are urged to bring an extra $1 to home games. Associated Students Inc. President Ryan Jacobsen said students from the Smittcamp Family Honors College and members of fraternities and sororities, along with representatives of the American Red Cross, will be posted at special barrels throughout the stadium to receive the donations.

Fresno State also is encouraging other colleges and universities nationwide to begin the same sort of fund-raising campaign for every home game across the nation.

Public relations students at Fresno State organized a community gathering of support earlier this month for a California family who embarked on a 3,500-mile cycling journey to raise money for the Twin Towers Orphan Fund.

The riders, who departed from Sacramento Oct. 8, will reach "Ground Zero" on Veterans' Day, Nov. 11. The mission of the Columbus to Veterans' Freedom Ride is to create awareness and raise money for the Twin Towers Orphan Fund. All money donated to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund is earmarked for the long-term well-being of children who lost a parent in the tragedies.

Back to University Journal, 10/22/01 Issue