12 April 2007
A Message from Peter and Bob to the ISU Family
It feels like yesterday… And yet it was twenty years ago today that we declared ISU a reality at the conclusion of the 3-day founding conference at MIT. What has been accomplished since then is truly phenomenal. Today we have a world space community energized with over 2,500 ISU graduates from more than 90 nations who are truly changing the future with their energy, drive and vision. ISU remains true to its main purpose as a beacon to new generations of space leaders, attracting them together to meet, learn, plan and begin lifelong friendships working together toward a peaceful, prosperous and boundless future through the exploration and development of Space for the benefit of all humanity.
It would be impossible for any single individual to tell a complete story of ISU’s history, even those of us most guilty of manifesting this bold dream can’t possibly know all the countless acts of personal dedication, sacrifice, heroism and determination by incredible people that helped mold, and sometimes save, this unique institution since the 1987 ISU Founding Conference. Perhaps the full unabridged story of ISU will one day come clear through the wonderful online communities we now have thanks to the internet.
It’s worth remembering that ISU was created in a world that didn’t have a World Wide Web or even email. It was created at the tail end of a cold-war, in the days following the Challenger Tragedy.
We have been so blessed to have met and worked with so many incredible people who dedicated a significant part of their heart and soul to the establishment and growth of ISU. Their legacy remains in continued growth of our unique institution. ISU is here to stay. Together we have successfully navigated ISU through the first 2 phases of the original 3-phase plan. We have a continuingly solid SSP (Phase 1) and a beautiful Central Campus (Phase 2). And as an integral part of the open conspiracy that ISU is, Phase 3 will ultimately be in the hands of its alumni who will plan and build our first orbital facilities.
On this day in 1995, together with our dear friend, co-founder and co-conspirator Todd Hawley, we read into existence the ISU Credo, a document that was created by the three of us during a lapse in his disease that turned out to be the last thing we were able to do together. That day with Todd was one of celebration of love and friendship and hope for the future. ISU was born out of this spirit of friends, partnership and the belief in human potential. We have no doubt that Todd would share our pride in what it is today, and also our reminder of all the work yet to be done as we head into Phase 3 of the dream.
“Together we shall aspire to the Stars with wisdom, vision and effort.”
Happy 20th Birthday ISU!
Bob, Todd (in absentia), and Peter
