Fresno State Alumni and Friends Respond to the Shuttle Columbia Tragedy

Fresno State Alumni and Friends Respond to the Shuttle Columbia Tragedy

Here is a sampling of Incoming messages to Fresno State from Bulldog alumni and friends from throughout the world.

The photo at right is a close-up of a memory wall in the university's free speech area honoring Col. Husband and the crew of the shuttle. -- Editor

From Dr. Robert Halseth, Professor of Music at CSU, Sacramento
Fresno State class of 1964 (BA), 1970 (MA)

"Thank you for this announcement. I hadn't realized until now that Col.. Husband was a fellow alumnus of Fresno State. My heart goes out to his survivors. On Sunday, the day after the accident, I conducted the performance of the 100-member All-Southern California High School Honor Band in the Carpenter Theatre at CSULB. We performed four compositions, one of which was "Whatsoever Things..." by Mark Camphouse, dedicating our performance to the fallen crew of the space shuttle Columbia. The title comes from the Northwestern University Motto:

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

think on these things."

(Philippians 4:8)

"Plans are being finalized for a new Bulldog Walkway, which will be located directly in front of the Smittcamp Alumni House. The Board of Directors is in the process of purchasing and placing the first tile which will read: “HE TOUCHED THE FACE OF GOD; In Memory of COL. RICK HUSBAND, MS ’90; Commander, NASA, Space Shuttle STS-107, Columbia; February 1, 2003; Board of Directors, Fresno State Alumni Association.”

-- Communication to alumni from the Fresno State Alumni Association

"My condolences to all Americans and especially to family members who lost loved ones on the Spaceship-Columbia tragedy. Tanzanians and myself, being an alumnus of Fresno State, are deeply touched and our prayers are with you. May God Bless America. May God Bless Tanzania."

-- Incoming email received on www.FresnoStateNews.com

REFLECTIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT (Distributed to faculty and Staff on Feb. 3, 2003)

The week has ended with another tragedy for our world. This tragedy has had particular significance for our community as Colonel Rick Husband was one of our alumni who was very proud of his Fresno State degree. Our community expresses its deepest condolences to Colonel Husband's family, and to the families and friends of all of the astronauts.

One member of our community shared a poem with me this weekend that has special meaning at this very difficult time. It is known as “The Pilot's Prayer”.

High Flight
John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

From the Kennel Bookstore...accompanying an on-line order
Thank you so much for the information. I was able to find the sweatshirt on your website. I will order it and wear it with pride. The whole world knows that Fresno State is an excellent university since a brilliant and heroic man such as Rick Husband chose to earn his master's degree from there. I hope you know how thankful I and my family are to your university for educating one of the greatest astronauts of our time. My son is a junior in high school and he wants to attend Fresno State. I would be honored if he chose to do so.

In appreciation,
Alfred Magnussen

Received by the Fresno State Alumni Association

Wish I was there, but my heart goes out to Mr. Husband's family.

The new Bulldog Walkway is a great way to honor him.
Sincerely, Robert Miramontes

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