Colleagues,

On the way to work this morning I was struck with how ordinary the day seemed--commuters reading papers, drinking coffee, arguing about sports, avoiding eye contact with each other. Outside, the sky is as clear as I can remember, just another beautiful New York day. Yet, on another crystal clear morning, just six months ago, similar morning rituals were shaken as never before. So, this ordinary day portends more than ordinary routines; it is a day to reflect.

Six months have passed since September 11. We have changed mayors, forgotten about contested presidential elections, gone to war, had the economy bottom (and begin rebounding), seen baseball and football come and go, to be replaced by March madness, and have returned to the activities that give us pleasure and joy. Nonetheless, we pause to remember this day that our good fortune depends on much that is beyond our control, that our fate is entwined with others, and that all we take for granted is contingent upon events and people with motives that we cannot understand.  

 

Fatalism, however, is rarely a comforting philosophy. We mingle with those thoughts more positive visions--like living our lives to the fullest every day, utilizing our talents to bring value to others, knowing that ordinary citizens can be heroes, and selflessly sharing our lives with each other. We understand to the core that we may be knocked down, but we can get up and move forward. We know that our voices cannot be silenced, that patriotism does not mean giving up cherished liberties, and that supporting our leaders means cheering them when they are right, questioning them when we do not understand, and criticizing them when they are wrong.

 

The last six months have given us many lessons, but to me they can be summarized simply. We must grieve and learn from our grief. We must mourn and then rebuild. We must look forward with optimism, but never forget the past.    

Six months has seen New York Law School respond to challenges that we never imagined--losing friends and family, closing our facilities, passing through checkpoints, dealing with questionable air quality, and coping with the ordinary pressure of legal education while dealing with extraordinary things around us. We have also seen our faculty, students, and graduates come together as never before, to support each other and help their community rebuild.

 

Today, let's hold tight to our memories, keep looking forward, and always remember that as a community we care for each other, that we demand the best of all of us, and that we require that we live up to our ideals.