Paula Cunningham, president of Lansing Community College, was at home gardening when she learned of the Sept. 11 tragedy. She had taken the day off to celebrate her birthday.

It’s tough to talk about still. I think we all operated under an assumption of being safe in America, of being protected. That assumption was threatened. … and whether we feel totally comfortable, safe, again is yet to be determined.
However, I have always had an extremely soft spot for people who protect us – emergency rescue worker or mission workers – people who are involved with a higher calling, protecting people in our country.
It’s helped me to appreciate all of the liberties that we have taken for granted. … I don’t think we think enough about those. It helped me to reflect on those, to hold them dear, to tell people thank you.
I watched an outpouring of generosity on the part of Americans in response to this tragedy – whether it be with blood, or prayer or money.
I think one of the things that has really struck me about all of this – and this is very personal to me -- is how we have taken prayer out of the schools – and I understand why this happened. Yet, at a time of crisis, what does this country do? All denominations -- every one -- it’s OK to pray, it’s OK for people to come together, in the form of perhaps 12 different faiths in one building and in their own way have the same positive thought. So, if it’s important to do it at a time of crisis, why not in a time when there is not [a crisis]? That’s a question that there’s not an answer to right now, but I’m still pondering it.
In terms of LCC (which has students from 69 countries), I’m happy to report we’ve had very few incidents of conflict on the campus. We’ve come together and established a buddy system, so that, if you see someone who looks as if they’re from another country, you walk with that person across campus or with with them in the cafeteria.
While others have been talking about the "Attack on America,"we have felt it necessary to talk about unity. We had a ceremony in the mall which drew about 200 people, and we’re following up with workshops where we can talk openly.
I must give accolades to our counselors, with whom anyone on campus can talk about anything.
I am confident that America will be OK. But I am concerned about the next generation understanding patriotism, the military, liberty – that we have to be cautious about how we respond.
My own tendency is to defend, to go after people. But that’s not the right decision.
There has to be a price to pay for what has happened, but what that process is requires thought – that’s why they call it ‘military intelligence’—and prayer.
Think about what you would do if your child, a loved one, were being hurt by someone. Would you want to sit around with your aunts and uncles and talk about what to do with these people who killed your child? You first reaction is to go get them. But hopefully a maturity and intelligence will prevail.
We have to think this through, even though something has to be done. There is a debt owed.
It’s not over. There has to be something good that comes out of this. The good is that we are stronger and more unified. … When Timothy McVeigh bombed Oklahoma did people hate all white males? I didn’t see the same kind of resentment toward a group of people as I do now. There has to be something more at the base of this. Individuals need to look inside themselves to see what’s going on.