Remembering 9/11
In remembrance of 9/11 terrorist attacks, two Mendoza faculty members and military veterans recall the day and its enduring impact on their lives. Look for Jim O'Rourke's essay titled "Twenty-Two Years Still Seem Like Yesterday: A Reflection on 9/11."

The lasting impact of 9/11

While I was not in NYC on that fateful morning, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, had a profound and lasting impact on my choice to serve in the military. 

Following in the footsteps of my father (an Illinois State Trooper), my career pathway began by earning a degree in Criminal Justice. Immediately upon graduation, I joined the Lafayette Police Department. My time as a police officer taught me that the act of service not only benefits the recipients but also transforms those who serve, instilling a profound sense of purpose, personal growth and a lasting legacy of commitment to something greater than oneself. 

Although I enjoyed the role and the opportunity to connect with the community, I knew that my long-term goals went beyond law enforcement. I enrolled in graduate school to begin the process of change.  

Going to school during the day and patrolling the streets at night was a challenge that forced me to focus, become disciplined and strive to succeed on multiple fronts. It was near the end of my graduate work that 9/11 occurred. I had already made the decision to leave police work but that decision felt heavier after 9/11. Even though I knew that the professional change was in my best interest, it was difficult to transition to a civilian role as the nation regrouped from the attack.

I began my career at Notre Dame with OIT in the Teaching and Learning department. During that time, I felt the call to service again and I joined the U.S. Navy Reserves. The need to serve has been hardwired into my disposition and demonstrated by good examples. My grandfather served in the Navy in Okinawa during WWII and my father was drafted and served in Vietnam. As the late Jimmy Buffett says, this makes me a “Son of a Son of a Sailor.”

My choice to join the U.S. Navy was inspired by both my grandfather and the symbol you see around campus, the mark of the Holy Cross. The anchors offer all a symbol of hope. It was my intention to bring that sense of hope to all those that I encountered. 

Eventually, I shifted again from a staff role to my first faculty position in 2007. I continued as a “weekend warrior” and served three weeks abroad during the summers with the U.S. Navy. As they say, “Join the Navy, see the world.” I traveled to 11 countries, including a deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2010 – 2011. This deployment lasted 444 days (not that anyone was counting!).

Working at Notre Dame is a gift and a blessing. Being separated from Notre Dame and my family was one of the hardest things I have had to go through in my life. The difficult times offered me an opportunity to grow. My time in the military provided me with a unique perspective on the world, promoting empathy, compassion and a broader understanding of diverse cultures and experiences. I felt my faith in God deepen and I returned to campus with a renewed vigor to serve my students with increased compassion and understanding. 

Although I am no longer serving in the military or as a law enforcement officer, those experiences significantly impacted my life. Serving others, whether in the military, as a first responder or in the role of an educator, brings about profound reciprocal benefits. Beyond the rewards of a sense of duty fulfilled and the opportunity to make a positive impact on others' lives, service also enriches the individual on a deeply personal level.

Bob Lewandowski
Director of Online Initiatives
Teaching Professor of IT, Analytics, and Operations Department
​