University remembers 9/11 anniversary

Last week marked the eighth anniversary since of 9/11 attacks.  The events sent shock waves that the world will never forget. It could not hit any closer to home to the students and alumni of the University.

The University is the closest university to the World Trade Center (WTC) site. Earlier this month, the students did not forget those who were lost in these attacks.  The University lost four students, over 40 alumni and a university division in the North Tower.  The University became a triage center on the day when downtown Manhattan needed all the help it could get.

On this year's anniversary, a group of nearly 200 students gathered in front of the University. Two University organizations, Student Development and Campus Activities (SDACA) and Residential Housing Association (RHA), held the annual memorial  and walk to the WTC site. 

Students spoke prior to leaving the University about remembering those who were arbitrarily victims and how New York handled the tragedy. Three speakers spoke about where they were on 9/11, how others were simply going into work as any day and how communities were shaken as a result.

One student, Colin Seeberger, reminded us how we can remember these events that occurred in a positive light.  "Eight years will not erase images that tear our minds apart, but eight years also gives us time to reflect and hopefully become a better country that cares about whoever is standing next to you, regardless of skin color, religion, sexual orientation. That's what 9/11 should mean to us."

The organizations handed out candles to students before the walk occurred.  Students walked down Park Row and across Broadway to the North side of Ground Zero near the PATH train entrance.  There was a large mix of memorials all around the site, ranging from commuters staring at the lights where the WTC once stood, to those who placed flowers on the site, as well as those who were more active in their remembering such as the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) driving down the streets as a tribute to the heroes who saved lives while risking their own.

It was there that the students honored those who were lost at the site of the attacks.  Students signed a poster of where they were on 9/11 and how they felt coming to the actual site where eight years ago disaster occurred. Everyone remembered coming home hearing the situation explained that never should have occurred.

9/11 represents a day that the world will never forget as we were once able to see the Twin Towers decorate the skyline of downtown Manhattan.  The vigil is a small part of honoring those who were lost. In the Motorola Courtyard, the University has a plaque dedicated to those affiliated with the University who were lost on that dreadful day.