As the nation prepares to observe the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, UB officials are finalizing a memorial ceremony to allow students and faculty to back and remember together.
"Many students come from that area and we wanted to have a ceremony that students could participate in," said Bruce Kolesnick, associate director for marketing and programs, conferences and special events.
The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. Thursday at Hayes Hall on South Campus and will conclude at 10:30 a.m. at Alumni Arena on North Campus.
Several events during the ceremony will coincide with the actual timeline of events during the terror attacks.
At 8:45 a.m., when the first passenger jet crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center, the University Police will raise a special commemorative American flag that was flown over Ground Zero. James Selwyn, whose father Howard died during the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, donated the flag to UB last year.
At 9:03 a.m., when a second passenger jet crashed into the south tower, University Police will lower the commemorative flag.
Several other observances that coincide with the timeline of Sept. 11 will take place throughout the day.
In addition to the flag ceremonies, the UB and Canisius Reserve Officer Training Corps, members of three campus ministries and members of the University Facilities will be on hand to participate in separate observances throughout the ceremony.
According to Kolesnick, the campus ministries will be at the ceremony to help comfort students and faculty of various religious backgrounds.
"It seemed to us that Campus Ministries would be the ideal organization to make an inspirational speech, prayer or whatever they want," Kolesnick said. "We didn't want an official university officer for the ceremony, and the Campus Ministries seemed like a perfect fit."
A member from each campus ministry will speak briefly on a subject of their choosing. Rabbi Avrohom Gurary will be speaking from the Jewish Campus Ministry. Sarah Buxton-Smith will speak from the Christian Campus Ministry, and Joe Beck will speak from the Humanist Campus Ministry.
"It sounds like a good idea for people to come together," said Evan Shulman, a senior pre-med student. "I would go, although I'm not sure yet if I definitely will. But for people who lost loved ones in the attack, they could use each other's support because I'm sure they're still coping with it."
Kolesnick said although all students and faculty are invited to the ceremony, he understands not everyone will want to attend.
"I think it's left open," said Kolesnick. "We've spoken to some students who would rather remember in their own way, and then there are other students who want to come. It's more of an individual thing."
"I try not to think about it," said Sean Scott, a freshman undecided major. "I'm not saying I don't care. It's sad but I don't know anyone who died so I wouldn't go to a memorial."
"I probably wouldn't be able to attend because of classes, but I would like to," said Adam Pasiak, a freshman architecture major. "It should be more of a solemn day to remember everybody and the losses."
