Members of the ISU and Ames communities gathered at the front steps of Curtiss Hall at noon Wednesday to remember last year’s terrorist attacks.

A moment of silence, followed by a carillon concert by ISU carillonneur Tin-shi Tam began the ceremony. Public officials, including Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco and ISU President Gregory Geoffroy, spoke at the event.

Geoffroy said the anniversary should be used to “celebrate the human spirit and remember one of the most difficult experiences we’ll ever have in our lives.”

“We won’t forget where we were and what we were doing when these events happened,” he said.

Geoffroy said the effects of last fall’s attacks are still being felt, and he hopes people will turn the event into a learning experience that will tell the triumph of the human spirit.

Thomas Hill, vice president for Student Affairs, said the nation is concerned with the effects of terror on our daily lives, such as how to discuss terrorism with children and how to ensure immigrants of the same ethnicity as the alleged hijackers are treated safely and kindly.

Hill said the university community include people from more than 100 nations.

He said uniting as a university will promote peace in the community, state and world.

“Let us continue to embrace each other in friendship,” Hill said. “Let us continue to learn from each other for each other’s sake.”

Americans responded to the “senseless tragedy of Sept. 11” with money, energy and even blood, said T.J. Schneider, president of Government of the Student Body.

The ISU community joined together to help each other make sense of the tragedy, he said. “We cried together, sang together and stood tall together.”

He said “the unity of the Cyclone community” was evident as students united to respond to the attacks with candlelight vigils, prayer and discussion.

“Since then we’ve worked for a more passionate community, country and world,” he said. “As we remember the past, let’s look forward to the future of Iowa State and America.”

Nelson Yong, president of the International Student Council, said international students were filled with thoughts of uncertainty and fear after learning about the attacks but were touched by the response they received.

“The Ames community welcomed us and made sure we felt safe here,” he said. “American classmates have now taken a greater interest in Middle Eastern and Islam studies.”