Although Charleston is merely a microcosm to Sept. 11 and the world of terrorism, that Tuesday led to a domino effect of impacts on the city.

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Hours before hijackers committed the largest terrorist attack on American soil, director of athletics Rich McDuffie was with Eastern's volleyball as they flew back from a tournament in Alaska.

I have never been to New York, nor do I know anyone there. I have no connections to that particular state. I, along with almost all my family and friends live in Illinois. However, I have never in my whole life felt so much sorrow and hurt for people hundreds of miles away than I did on that horrible day of Sept. 11, 2001.

September 11th, 2002 will be forever engraved in the minds of those living. September 11th ranks up with the assassination of J.F.K. "Where were you on September 11th?" will be the one question my kids will ask me, just like when I asked my parents where they were the day J.F.K died.

Sometimes. Weird word, very strange indeed. It can explain every coincidence, chance encounter, great feat and victory. I watched that day, saw it, emptiness is all I remember. Motives, answers, reasons, anything for understanding. How can...Why did...Who thought...What gains..., questions, but really more. Safety of my family and crew took searching for answers into creating them myself.

It was a normal Tuesday morning at Marist High School in Chicago. Waking up, getting ready and rushing to get to class on time was all that was on my mind. Showing up to my first period class was just like a routine school day until that class was over. My second class holds daily announcements every morning, but this was a little different. The faculty did not express the fact that it was a terrorist bombing, all they said was two planes collided into the World Trade Center towers in New York. I felt puzzled at the fact that two planes would just collide into the towers with no explanation.

I recall sitting in my office hearing the secretaries in the front office talk about a horrific site on the television in the library. The first thought that went through my head was the possibility of another school shooting. Everyone was talking about what a terrible accident and there was not a thought at that time that terrorism was at hand. I sat there watching in amazement. I then traveled back and forth from my office to the library to watch. I was just coming back into the library when the second tower was hit. Amazement, disbelief, and fear were on the thoughts of everyone. Not much later, I was informed of the Pentagon's trouble. Now fear was at the forefront.

Current faculty concerns will be discussed at Tuesday's Faculty Senate meeting in order to plan a open forum for the faculty.

Interim President Lou Hencken met with administrators and faculty from the art department to discuss the problems in the former Booth West building and the goals for the building completion, while construction at the building seems to be moving ahead at a faster rate.

Those interested in celebrating their freedoms to commemorate Sept. 11 may contribute to the Tarble Arts Center's temporary shrine today and tomorrow.

Money doesn't cover wounds like the ones Kansas State could inflict upon Eastern's season Saturday.