President’s
Message
Values are Certain
Even in Uncertain Times
ay you live in interesting times” is a Chinese saying, a curse actually, passed
along to me without malice long before September 11th. A contemporary version might be, “May you live in uncertain times.” Uncertainty can characterize
these days, if we let it and if we only hold a narrow, short-term view.
We’re uncertain about the stock market and our 401Ks, but only because a strong run in the
past few years erased the memories of risks always present in the market. We’re uncertain
about traveling by air, but any review of transportation safety records will show we are at our
greatest risk in our automobiles. We’re uncertain about opening our mail, but the statistical
risks of contracting a biological disease are minuscule, compared with many other health
risks ignored by many Americans (smoking, diet, alcohol and drug abuse to name a few).
I do not minimize the impact the terrorists’ attack has had on the American psyche and our
daily lives. However, it’s of greater comfort for me to realize and appreciate the certainties
in my life and environment. I suspect you can and will identify with these perspectives.
Rick and Joan Artman
• This Thanksgiving held special meaning for Joan and me as our son, daughter and
three grandchildren traveled 12 hours by car (see above) to share the blessings of
family life and express gratitude for our fortunes of health, education and freedom.
We hadn’t hugged our kids since before 9/11/01; the squeezes were long and tight.
I’m certain our family values are strong and our love grows stronger daily.
• The campus community comes together regularly in prayer and worship, at weekly
mass and for group or private prayer vigils each Tuesday since September 11th. I
believe the faith lives of our students, faculty and staff have grown. I’m certain God is
present to help each of us deal with loss, suffering, and the anxieties that accompany
a nation at war.
• World events have brought new opportunities for classroom dialog, generated many
papers and presentations about Islam and other religions, prompted debates about foreign policy and the justice of war, and made patriotism politically correct. I’m certain
our students are more informed, our nation is stronger and our security