Sept. 11 Remembrance Activities

Thursday, Sept. 8
11 a.m.- 2 p.m. ‘We Remember’ signing wall, Mountainlair
3-4 p.m. ‘Remembering 9/11/01: Implications for Educators’ discussion, 802B Allen Hall


Friday, Sept. 9
11 a.m.- 2 p.m. ‘We Remember’ signing wall, Mountainlair


Saturday, Sept. 10
10 a.m.-1 p.m. ‘We Remember’ signing wall, The Lot at Milan Puskar Stadium
1-4 p.m. Gameday activities at WVU vs. Norfolk State, Milan Puskar Stadium


Sunday, Sept. 11
8:45 a.m. 9/11 memorial tree lighting, in front of downtown library
8:45 a.m. ROTC vigil, in front of downtown library
3 p.m. Morgantown Roller Vixens (WVU student organization) vs. Eerie Roller Girls, Mylan Expo Center
6-7 p.m. “Remembering through the Arts,” Creative Arts Center
8-8:45 p.m. University community candlelight vigil, Mountainlair


Monday, Sept. 12
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reading of victims’ names, Mountainlair
11 a.m.-2 p.m. ‘We Remember’ signing wall, Mountainlair

The West Virginia University community will unite to remember the Sept. 11 attacks that shook the nation and the campus 10 years ago.

A series of campus events, organized by the Student Government Association and WVU officials, will observe the decade anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. that killed about 3,000 people, including two WVU alumni: Jim K. Samuel Jr. and Chris S. Gray.

These events will offer students, faculty, staff and community members a time for reflection, as well as an opportunity to pay homage to those who have sacrificed or lost their lives in the midst of those attacks.

Two key ceremonies are scheduled on the day of the anniversary – Sept. 11:

“Remembering through the Arts” will begin at 6 p.m. at the Creative Arts Center with a group of emergency responders carrying an American flag into the CAC.

President Emeritus David C. Hardesty Jr., who served as University president at the time of the attacks, will reread his post-9/11 speech from the Sept. 14, 2001 ceremony at Woodburn Circle.

The WVU Division of Theatre and Dance will perform “Standing Tall,” a seven-minute piece dedicated in memory of those who perished on 9/11. Yoav Kaddar, director of the dance program and assistant professor of dance, is the choreographer of the work, set to “Air on a G String” by J.S. Bach and from a poem found on the back of a memorial program in New York City in the fall of 2001. The author is unknown. “Paper Rain,” a song from a musical written by 2011 WVU graduate Matthew Webster, will also be performed.

“Remembering through the Arts” is scheduled to last about 45 minutes.

A downtown candlelight vigil is scheduled for 8 p.m. outside the Mountainlair. This ceremony will include guest speakers, the singing of “God Bless America” and the playing of “Taps.”

Click below to hear an excerpt from "Paper Rain," by Matthew Webster, a 2011 WVU alumnus, from his musical Kingdom Come.

Vice President for Student Affairs Ken Gray, U.S. Army retired judge advocate general, and SGA President Jason Bailey will speak.

Everyone in attendance will receive a candle to light in memory of those who died in the attacks.

Earlier that day, at 8:45 a.m., the 9/11 memorial tree will be lit. The tree is an evergreen that was planted near the downtown library one year after the attacks. The vigil and tree lighting will span 48 hours through 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Veterans and first responders will be invited to these events and will be recognized.

“At the CAC event, we will be able to listen to speakers, hear music, honor members of local emergency responder groups, and watch performances that really capture and showcase the widespread effects of that day,” Bailey said.

“The candlelight vigil downtown that night will allow us to also hear words of reverence and join together in a special ceremony.”

Also that weekend:

WVU Athletics will hold several activities dedicated to veterans, first responders and those affected by 9/11 at the Sept. 10 football game at Milan Puskar Stadium.

The University has invited 350 West Virginia National Guard members and their families to the game, which pits the Mountaineers against the Norfolk State Spartans. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Those tickets were purchased by two donors – Scott Rotruck of Chesapeake Energy and Craig Hartsell of Azimuth – at a discounted price offered by Athletics and Director Oliver Luck at $10 each. Bruce Sparks, director of the WVU Office of Technology Transfer, coordinated the funding.

As part of the coin toss, the University will recognize the Gathering of Mountain Eagles, a wounded veterans’ group.

Throughout the game, veterans who have returned to campus as students or instructors will be recognized on the field and video board, which will have a patriotic theme.

A moment of silence will be held between the first and second quarters, and the WVU Marching Band will play “God Bless America.”

As part of a new WVU football tradition, Athletics is working on incorporating National Guard members into the Mountaineer Mantrip, a team walk to rally fans before each home game this season. The walk takes place about two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff at the corner of WVU Medical Center and Don Nehlen drives. Fans are urged to line up and greet the team, coaching staff and special guests as they walk from their bus to the stadium.

“The events of 9/11 are significant events in the history of this country,” said Matt Wells, sports marketing director. “We want to do our part to recognize the soldiers, first responders and all the people who sacrifice and put their lives on the line to defend our country. We hope our small token is appreciated by fans, veterans, soldiers and first responders.”

On Sept. 11, the Morgantown Roller Vixens, a WVU student organization, will take on the Eerie Roller Girls at the Mylan Expo Center. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the event starts at 3 p.m. First responders and military personnel can get in for free. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund. For more information on this event, email morgantownrollerderby@yahoo.com.

The WVU Alumni Association will also recognize the anniversary during its scheduled events that weekend.

Events honoring 9/11 aren’t limited to that weekend.

  • A large American flag will hang from the front of the Mountainlair from Sept. 8-13.
  • A website – We Remember – includes links to events and will also feature comments left on the University’s Facebook page.
  • Starting at 11 a.m. Sept. 12, the names of all 9/11 victims will be read aloud at the Mountainlair.
  • People can sign a special “We Remember” canvas, which will be available throughout campus. It is scheduled to be on the downtown campus Sept. 8 and 9, the stadium Sept. 10, the CAC on Sept. 11, and back to the downtown campus Sept. 12 and 13. Bailey and a representative from the SGA plan to deliver the canvas to Ground Zero in October.
  • During the “We Remember” signings, people can donate $1 to light a candle in memory of those affected by 9/11.

Bailey encourages everyone to attend these events to reflect upon that moment in time.

“I hope they think about where they were, what they were doing, who was affected, and how it changed their lives,” he said. “Putting yourself in the mindset of how important that day was and how it personally affected you will help make that day more meaningful.”

By Jake Stump
University Relations/News

-WVU-

js/09/01/11

CONTACT: University Relations/News
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