The most memorable day and the most important lessons of this academic year came from an event nearly 3,000 miles away.

When hijackers took American planes and smashed them into American power structures killing thousands, every person’s life within this country changed.

Our generation may very well be the one most affected by the tragic happenings on Sept. 11.

While watching the events unfold on television and during the days and weeks that followed, many of us felt patriotism, hate and fear for the very first time. These emotions, strong and at times uncontrollable, left an impression in our collective psyche that will never go away.

Even though this campus is so far from New York City and Washington, D.C., it too was affected drastically.

The U had to battle instances of hate unparalleled in recent history. The U had to assume the role of Middle East educator to those whose interest in the area rose dramatically. And the U acted as a place of healing during the well-attended candlelight vigil.

But as this academic year comes to a close, this horrible event and the emotions it spawns won’t just leave us.

The most defining moment of our generation isn’t a static event in a history book, but a moment where every one of us decided who we are and what we want.

The diversity of answers is astonishing, but from this jumbled heap will rise the reputation of a generation and, with any hope, the world will change for the better. With any hope our understanding of different people will grow. With any hope our willingness to help each other will increase. With any hope we will never have to live through such a painful day again.

Sept. 11 destroyed any illusion we have of total safety. It opened our eyes to those who hate us for who we are. It made us reevaluate our lives and what we stand for.

When people use the clich “don’t forget Sept. 11,” they really should say “don’t ignore how Sept. 11 has changed you and your life.”

The lessons we learned that day will likely be the most important we learn throughout our college education.