The University of Memphis will join the nation tomorrow in commemorating the first anniversary of Sept. 11 with a variety of campus activities for students, faculty and their families.
“All over the nation, people will be stopping to remember Sept. 11, and it’s important for the University to be a part of that,” U of M President Shirley Raines said.
“It’s important for us as a community to remember what happened a year ago and to commemorate the lives lost and those who worked heroically at the sites to rescue people.”
Events at the University tomorrow range from the chiming of the bells at the clock tower to a candlelight vigil at the Student Plaza, giving all students and faculty a chance to remember the attacks.
“As the year anniversary approaches, it is evident that there are still a lot of emotions to be dealt with,” Student Government Association President Laura Pevahouse said.
“After the event, people were in such shock that maybe they didn’t have a way to think about and process their feelings about the event. Everyone has a right to have emotions about the day.”
The morning of Sept. 11, 2002, will begin with moments of silence interrupted only be the ringing of the bell tower to commemorate the time at which each of the four planes went down: 7:45, 8:04, 8:40 and 9:10.
The Student Government Association and the Student Honors Council will host a roundtable discussion in the University Center Lobby at 3 p.m., which Pevahouse said will give students and faculty an opportunity to share what they were doing and how they felt Sept. 11, 2001.
“Many of the events are in honor of the victims (of the attacks),” Pevahouse said.
“We want to remember those impacted directly and also give people here (at the University) a chance to share how the events impacted them.”
Pevahouse said she urges participants of the round table discussion not to make the discussion one of blame pointing or political agenda.
“The discussion is not a debate, and we don’t want to limit people’s discussion,” Pevahouse said. “But the point of the discussion is to remind people that we are together as a symbol of unity.”
The day of commemoration will end with a candlelight remembrance service on the Student Plaza, and Pevahouse said students and faculty are encouraged to bring their children and families to participate in the event.
“It’s appropriate as a university community to give our community members an opportunity to reflect and remember,” said Associate Dean of Students and Campus Efforts Coordinator Bud Richey. “It’s a time when all of us want to have a way to remember the tragedy of last year.”
