New—and welcome—vantage points

I found the two articles on the World Trade Center disaster in the November issue [“September 11, 2001” and First-Person] very interesting.

I was also at the World Trade Center site, though not at Ground Zero: I spent six days with the American Red Cross helping with communications within the “affected area.” Your articles gave me different perspectives than I had gotten during my own visit to the site.

Two local newspapers interviewed me about my time there, and I also wrote a three-part article for a specialty newsletter about my experiences. It seems people cannot get enough first-person accounts of this tragedy.

Still, absolutely no description or picture could have taken the place of being there. It was a week I will not soon forget.

Joseph Heck, E’76
Wrentham, Massachusetts


In the wake of the attacks

As a father and a husband, I cannot imagine being on one of the planes hijacked on September 11, trying to explain to my daughter in the minutes before the crash what is happening.

Then I read Islamic Society treasurer Marwa Eid’s quote regarding the Palestinians who celebrated the terrorist attacks: “I know it’s not necessarily right for them to feel this way, but we have to understand it” [Talk of the Gown, November].

Let’s get one thing straight: There is no “necessarily” about it. I didn’t understand the Palestinian celebrations then, I don’t now, nor will I ever.

Ms. Eid’s quote reminded me of the Saudi prince who donated $10 million to the relief fund, then claimed the attack was America’s fault. Bravo to former mayor Rudolph Giuliani for telling him where he can stick his check.

Robert Conant, AS’94
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts


So close, and yet . . .

Since graduation, I have not ventured far from Northeastern (in fact, I live on Symphony Road), yet the reality is that two short years have made Northeastern seem lifetimes away.

So I write not to comment on any particular story or letter, but rather just to say thanks. Through all its stories and letters, the magazine supplies a much-appreciated glimpse of the university community.
Regardless of the distance, it helps keep NU a little bit closer to home.

Christopher Spiewak, UC’99
Boston, Massachusetts


Great, great, great

Following are some comments from readers that were included on magazine subscription forms sent in since September.

I did my undergraduate work at Yale, followed by law school at Northeastern. The NU magazine is superior—far superior!—to the Yale magazine in every way. You do a great job. (How about more articles on the best law school—NU’s, of course!)

Karla Forsythe, L’74
Portland, Oregon

Great magazine. I love the personal stories of alumni successes.

Mary Ellen Dewinter, MBA’92
Needham, Massachusetts

The magazine could use more news about Boston’s economy and government events.

Phillip Solano, MTPW’93
Washington, D.C.

It’s very interesting reading the class notes. The magazine has improved, year by year.

George A. Beckett, E’44
Woodway, Washington

The magazine is great. You have created the standard.

Herbert M. Liftman, E’51
Cherry Hill, New Jersey


We welcome your letters and reserve the right to edit them for space and clarity. Send them to:

Letters to the Editor
Northeastern University Alumni Magazine
360 Huntington Avenue, 598CP
Boston, MA 02115.

Fax: 617.373.5430.

World Wide Web: www.numag.neu.edu/magletters.html.

E-mail: sp@ur.neu.edu.