The Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Without question, the entire Northern Illinois University community – students, faculty, alumni, surrounding communities and countless others – fell on Feb. 14, 2008. Equally without question is the fact that we have risen. The question that now remains is how are we going to move forward?

First, let’s take some pride in our campus. The next time you’ve got an empty plastic bottle or any other kind of trash, throw it out rather than leaving it on the floor of a classroom or – even worse – littering campus for no apparent reason. Wait to find a trash can; they’re everywhere. We have a beautiful campus here; let’s not tarnish it by being too lazy to hang onto garbage until a trash can is available. Respect our campus and keep it clean both inside buildings and out.

Second, embrace your college experience and your university. Instead of complaining about how there’s nothing to do on the weekends, stick around and make something to do. While I understand some people go home on weekends to work (myself included), there are certainly others who return to their hometowns because “there’s nothing to do here.” Our reputation as a “suitcase campus” can’t be changed by hanging out at home. Go see a band at one of the bars. Go to a football game, basketball game or any other athletic event and support our teams. Go workout at the Rec Center. Hang out with friends. Join an intramural sport. Do what college students do. Not to sound like a parent or Student Association spokesperson, but get involved. Get to know people. Do something, anything.

Finally, keep these feelings of pride and compassion going. Remember how proud you felt to be an NIU student when we came together to mourn our losses? How about when you pulled on your Huskie hoodie to attend the five minutes of silence or the memorial service? Or when you placed something at one of the multiple memorials on campus? Remember that? Don’t ever forget that feeling, just the same way you’ll never forget our five fellow Huskies whose lives were lost. You know the feelings of camaraderie and kindness you’re feeling toward your fellow students? Don’t let those feelings of goodwill stop as the time since this tragedy comes to pass. Remember those feelings and be proud of your university; you’ve got some damn good reasons to be.

Let’s make a positive out of a negative by improving ourselves and our campus. Let’s do it for Catalina, Daniel, Gayle, Ryanne, and Julianna. They deserve it. By doing so, we can honor them and preserve their memories in yet another, long-lasting manner.

As President Peters said, “The eyes of the world are focused on Northern Illinois University.” Let’s put our best paw forward, Huskies.

Dan Mergens
Senior, history

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