NEW PALTZ – The State University of New York at New Paltz will hold two events to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The College has organized a panel discussion on Thursday, Sept. 8, and a flag-planting ceremony in remembrance of those who lost their lives and in recognition of all first responders. The ceremony will take place at noon on Friday, Sept. 9, on the Old Main Quad.
Both of these events are open to the public.
President Donald P. Christian will preside over the ceremony. Scheduled speakers include a first responder from the local community, the Rev. Tobias Anderson from Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Paltz, and James Halpern, professor of psychology and director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health. Halpern was at the World Trade Center site following the Sept. 11 attacks to offer mental health first aid.
Campus chimes will ring on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37 and 10:03 a.m. (the times of the attacks on the World Trade Center Towers and Pentagon and the crash of the fourth jet in Shanksville, Pa.) The community is encouraged to reflect in silence as the chimes sound. After the last chimes, members of the community are welcome to bring home a flag in memory.
In addition to its commemorative ceremony, the Honors Center is sponsoring a panel discussion titled “Ten Years On…Reflections on 9/11,” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, in the Honors Center. The moderator will be Gerald Benjamin, associate vice president for regional engagement and director of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO).
According to Honors Center Interim Director, Patricia Sullivan, panelists include Lewis Brownstein, professor of political science, presenting “Rethinking American Security in the Aftermath of 9/11;” Nancy Kassop, professor of political science, presenting “Law vs. Politics in the Response to 9/11: One at the Expense of the Other?;” Jerry Persaud, assistant professor of communication and media, presenting “Pedagogy vs. Patriotism: A Decade of Teaching and Learning about 9/11;” and Hamilton Stapell, assistant professor of history, presenting “9/11 and Historical Memory.”
Members of the New Paltz Rescue Squad, the New Paltz Fire Department, the New Paltz Police Department and the University Police Department will participate in the flag-planting ceremony.
