August 14, 2002

CSUS to mark Sept. 11 anniversary

Students, faculty and staff of California State University, Sacramento will commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001 with a special community memorial at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the University Union Ballroom.

"This is a University community memorial that recognizes the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, and provides the University, through our own talents, the opportunity to make that recognition," said Rollin Potter, director of the School of the Arts and organizer for the event.

The hour-long memorial will feature student, faculty and alumni speakers, including Bob Buckley, chair of the Faculty Senate; and Eric Guerra, president of the Associated Students. Dennis Schmitz, emeritus faculty and former Sacramento City poet laureate, and Joshua McKinney, professor of English, will read poems. Musical selections by University performers will include "Fanfare for the Common Man" by the Faculty Brass Ensemble, conducted by professor Gary Dilworth; "America the Beautiful" and the "Star Spangled Banner" performed by the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, conducted by professor Robert Halseth and sung by music student Janelle Laurenti; and Johannes Brahms' "String Quartet No. 1" by the Sun Quartet. University President Donald R. Gerth will give closing remarks.

"I think people will come away in meditative reflection, with a deeper understanding of what America is all about," Potter said. "The country has had these tragedies. It does come back and it does move ahead."

The memorial will also include signature books and a special photography exhibition. Most of the photos were taken at Ground Zero at the World Trade Center in the first few weeks following the attack and many have never been shown before.

"It really shows what went on there in the first few days," said Elizabeth O'Brien, visual resources specialist in the Library who helped organize the collection.

Staff from the campus psychological counseling services also will be available in the University Union throughout the day. In conjunction with the memorial, the University will also republish its "Principles of Community," a campus-wide statement encouraging mutual respect and understanding.

The memorial is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact CSUS public affairs, (916) 278-6156.

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