Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Sept. 27, 2001, edition 1 / Page 1
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Erin Cunningham Reporter Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough tied his knowl edge of our nation’s past to the his toric events of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack as he addressed a crowded Alumni Gym Sept, 19 at the inau gural Baird Pulitzer Prize Lecture. “We are being put to the test in a way we never expected to be, or should have expected to be,” McCullough said. He described the feeling of numbness the country is experiencing and the reality that Americans must face and over come. McCullough quoted President George W. Bush in an address to the National Cathedral, “The com mitment of our fathers is now the calling of our time.” After repeat ing this quote he questioned the audience, “What does that mean?” He went on to discuss the immense struggle America’s founding fathers endured. They overcame the im measurable task of defeating the British and in the process formed a nation. More recently, the United States has prevailed through World War n and the Depression, and each time America “rose to the occa sion,” he said. America should possess a “truly important sense of unity” right now, McCullough said. He added that U.S. citizens have extraordinary brainpower, and highlighted the importance of using our heads as well as keeping them in these “diz zying times.” McCullough said this has been a traumatic event, but we are still here. He continued further to say we must draw upon our story of en durance and the examples of our founding fathers for strength. “We have descended from people who endured greater troubles, he said. Our country is still here, we are still here,” McCullough said. “We have one important source of strength: our story.” McCullough took notice of the many heroes who have risen from the national tragedy. “We have never been affected so greatly by an outside force,” McCullough said. The heroes are the firemen, police, medics and nurses, and it is through their example of valor and endurance we find strength in America. The heroes are the brave people who “fought back” and died in the Pennsylvania plane crash, he said. McCullough was previously scheduled to speak on his latest book, John Adams, which has been at the top of the New York Times best seller list for 16 weeks. How ever, he chose to adapt his speech to reflect on the recent tragedy, the first time he did so publicly. He related his research on John Adams and our founding fathers to the current tragedy facing the na tion. “They weren’t gods. That’s a very important point,” he said. “They were mortal human beings... capable of all that we are capable of.” McCullough is twice the winner of the National Book Award and has twice won the prestigious Francis Parkman Prize. He received the Pulitzer Prize, the nation’s most prestigious award in joumalism and the liberal arts, for his monumental book Truman, in 1993 and is ex pected to take home a Pulitzer for John Adams. McCullough has been an editor, essayist, teacher, lecturer, television host and author. He has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received 31 honorary degrees. None of his many books have ever been out of print, which is a feat few writers are able to boast. Concluding the lecture McCullough imparted one last rousing statement on the crowd of 2,000. “We all want so much to be useful. So let’s do that. Let’s rise to the occasion,” he said. “Let’s re member who we are. We’re Ameri cans.” Elizabeth Sudduth /News Editor David McCullough addressed a crowd of nearly 2,000 Elon com munity members during the Baird Pulitzer Prize Lecture. Computer virus strikes Elon campus Megan l\irner Reporter Amy Cowen/Assistant Photo Editor Four hundred eighty panels displayed names of AIDS victims in Koury Gym this past week for the NAMES Project. Last Tuesday, students clicked their mice and pounded on their keyboards, but many could not open their Internet and e-mail ac counts. A virus called Nimda has infected Elon’s network, causing “chatter” between computers and slowing down Internet access. The director of Instructional and Campus Technologies, Chris Fulkerson, said that although the virus still exists, it has now been eliminated from campus-owned computers. Virus software in com puter labs and in teacher and admin istrative offices was updated in or der to contain Nimda. Unlike other viruses, which can only infect computers through e- mail attachments, the Nimda virus can infect computers through an infected Web site or by using a shared folder. The virus can also be spread through e-mails. Fulkerson said that Nimda is not as destructive as other viruses. It does not delete files, but instead causes confusion throughout the network. Director of PC Support, Fred Melchor, said, “How it [Nimda] is delivered is new.” With viruses such as Sircan, users can be warned of certain e-mails that pose a threat. Now, Melchor said, there is no way for users to protect themselves. Sophomore Karen Lungarelli, had to repair her computer last year because it was infected by a “Snow White” virus. She said this most recent virus did not destroy her computer. Instead she said, “It was just a lot harder to get in touch with people.” Her Instant Messenger was down, and she could not send e-mails. Freshman Matt Eshenour said the virus made it harder for him to download music, use Instant Mes senger and send e-mails. However, senior Matt Simmons said, “It had no effect on me.” Fulkerson said that viruses be come a problem because “people don’t protect [their] computers very well.” Virus Continued on page 5
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