Ten Years After

GAMBIER, Ohio (September 7, 2011)

The ten-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, will be marked at Kenyon by silent reflection as well as a panel discussion including College President S. Georgia Nugent.

The ringing of bells along Middle Path will frame a "Minute of Reflection" just after noon on Sunday. Twenty students and faculty members will take their places along Middle Path, each carrying a brass hand bell that they will ring simultaneously for about fifteen seconds before and after a minute of campus-wide silent reflection.

At 4:00 p.m., a discussion on the events and aftermath of September 11 will take place in the Peirce Hall Pub. The panel on "Personal Reflections" will include Nugent; student Ryan Motevalli-Oliner '12; David Rowe, professor of international studies and political science; Vernon Schubel, professor of religious studies; and student Tess Waggoner '13.

"This is an important historical event, which we thought needed to be marked in an appropriate and significant way," said Thomas O. Karako, interim director of the Center for the Study of American Democracy (CSAD). "The moment of silence at noon is a more formal expression, and the afternoon panel is an opportunity for students and faculty alike to reflect on what they remember, how things have changed over the past decade, and what it means to them today."

Marc Bragin, Jewish chaplain and Hillel director, said the events of September 11, 2001, had a profound effect on college students of today, "even at a young age." He added, "I think it's important to remember the event. When we ring the bells for a moment, I want everyone on campus to stop what they're doing and reflect. If you're in Peirce Hall, stop getting food. If you're playing basketball, just stop and hold the ball for a minute. Just stop in complete silence for a moment of reflection."

A display of photographs in the Pub by Daniel P. Younger titled "Civic Display on Main Street: Remembering 9/11" will evoke memories of the day.

Commemoration events are sponsored by CSAD in coordination with the offices of the President, Provost, and Dean of Students, the Student Activities Office, and a number of student organizations.