THE PENDULUM
Informing, entertaining and inspiring the Elon University community since 1974
Volume: X X 1 X I S S U E : 4 DATE : 9 71 3 / 0 1 www.elon.edu/pendulu m
Eion faces the tragedy that shook the nation Tiiesday
Photo courtesy ofUniversityRelations
College Coffee on Tuesday was intended to be a day of celebration of the opening game at
Rhodes Stadium. President Lambet informed the community of the disaster in New York City.
Elon jumps in U.S. News
Elizabeth Sudduth
News Editor
What started as a day of cel
ebration at Elon University, soon
turned to a day of sorrow and
mourning.
News of the terrorist attacks in
New York and Washington D.C.
spread throughout campus just as
a College Coffee celebration had
gotten under way on Tuesday.
The Elon marching band had
just finished its entrance into Scott
Plaza and football coach A1
Seagraves was to address the
crowd in preparation for
Saturday’s inaugural game at
Rhodes Stadium.
Rather than continuing the cel
ebration, President Leo Lambert
spoke briefly, explaining to com
munity members what had just
taken place. He then called for
Chaplain Richard McBride to lead
students, faculty and staff in prayer.
Two hijacked commercial jet
liners crashed into the World Trade
Center in New York City shortly
before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, toppling
both 110-story towers, where thou
sands of people had recently ar
rived for work. Within minutes of
the first tragedy, a third plane
smashed into the Pentagon in Wash
ington, D.C. and the D ring burst
into fire.
After being alerted of the morn
ing events, members of the Elon
community tried to absorb the news
by gathering in front of televisions
and calling loved ones.
Classes went on as usual and pro
fessors were given permission to use
their discretion in holding class.
Within an hour, Moseley was set up
as a community information and
gathering center. The building was
opened for 24 hours to provide a stu
dent assistance center in Moseley
221-A. Students who needed help in
contacting loved ones or needed
other help were able to meet with
Student Life staff members there.
The overall feeling on campus
was a feeling of numbness. Elon
community members met at 4:30
p.m. on Tuesday in the Elon Com
munity Church sanctuary for a
prayer service. President Lambert
addressed the students, faculty and
staff that filled the pews of the
church still shocked by what had just
unveiled. Lead in prayers by Chap
lain McBride and other ministers
and leaders of the campus, the com
munity gathered together.
“I’ve talked with many students
and faculty today who are numb,
Lambert said. “We are collectively
in a state of despair, confusion and
anxiety about what will happen
Continued on page 6
Amy CowanIPhotographer
President Emeritus, Dr’ Earl
Danieley stands with his hand
on his heart at the news of the
tragedy on Tuesday.
Jennifer Guarino
Managing Editor
Last week U.S. News & World
Report announced that Elon is
ranked No. 9 among 130 Southern
universities. Within six years, Elon
has leaped 30 places in “2002
America’s Best Colleges,” a widely
referenced college rankings guide.
Elon is in a category of univer
sities with a full range of under
graduate and master’s level pro
grams within the 12-state southern
region. U.S. News began the sur
vey in 1983 to help students make
informed decisions about colleges
and universities. Today, nearly
1,400 institutions are ranked in the
report that is published in magazine
form, as well as online.
“Elon’s rise in the rankings is a
validation, in a sense, of the im
provement of the institution over
the past several years,” President
Leo Lambert said. “SAT scores
have risen. Admissions have be
come somewhat more selective.
Student retention has improved.
More resources are being devoted
to instruction. At the same time, we
have become better known through
out the nation, and our academic
reputation has risen. Each of these
factors influences the rise in the US
News rankings.”
This most recent ranking comes
in a series of national recognitions
Elon has received. This week’s
Time magazine named Elon as a
runner-up in the College of the Year
award for programs that help first-
year students transition into college
life. The 2002 Kaplan Newsweek
College Catalog named Elon one of
27 “hidden treasures” in the nation.
Elizabeth SudduthlThe Pendulum
In a time if emotional distress and need, members of the Elon
community joined together to cry, pray and talk about what they
are feeling. A special community meeting was called for Wednes
day morning to talk about the effects of this national crisis.