It is nearly impossible to find anyone who didn’t look at the world differently after Sept. 11.

Years from now people will tell their children stories of where they were when they heard the news, and as the first anniversary of the tragedy crept up on students and faculty, emotions were running high. Many students found the anniversary came quickly. However, without the shock and panic of horrific events unfolding minute by minute many felt they could deal with the events better than last year.

“I couldn’t believe it has been a year,” said Lindsay Sammuaels, a band graduate assistant. “I can remember it more clearly than anything else that I can remember a year later.”

Doug Bock, a speech communication professor, who previously worked as a consultant in the south tower of the World Trade Center, said the memories of the attacks seem worse on the anniversary than when the even occurred.

“In some ways today is harder; when it happened it was shocking, but shock helps protect the body and mind,” Bock said.

While some students have gone about their regular day in silent remembrance and personal reflection, others channeled grief into their jobs and hobbies.

Dennis Hayslett, director of bands, said he believes music helped convey what students could not put into words.

“We played a new piece today called ‘Hymn for the Lost and Living,’ which was just published last month and this was possibly the first time it has been played in Illinois,” Hayslett said. ” We just tried to let the music fade out and speak for itself.”

Time has not healed the wounds of most students and faculty. Instead the passage of time has allowed people to realize the severity and seriousness of their wounds.

“Something I noticed, walking outside of class today, hearing the names being read at the flagpole reminded me of a commencement ceremony, but it was very different,” said Joe Allen, assistant director of band. “The true significance of the travesty didn’t sink in until I heard the amount of time it took to read every name.”

James Tidwell, a journalism professor, said what happened on Sept. 11, 2001 still seems unreal.

“I thought it was incomprehensible that the towers collapsed. It’s eerie seeing pictures without them there anymore. They really seem to stick out of older pictures of New York,” Tidwell said.

Security and patriotism stuck out in some students’ minds, as they were reminded of how much our country has changed since the attack.

“It brought out a lot of pride in Americans, but on the other hand, it is unfortunate that it takes such massive destruction and death to bring out that kind of pride,” said Melissa Sikich, a junior biology major.

Lindsey White, a senior music education major, agreed that people’s attitudes have changed drastically since the attacks.

“I don’t think it’s possible to move on. As a nation we are going to judge things differently now, every future terrorist act is going to be judged by this,” White said.