Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The University of North Carolina Wilmington invites the community to join in reflection and remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, during a week-long commemoration from Sept. 9-16.

Many Americans will never forget where they were and what they were doing on 9/11, when they first heard that the worst acts of terrorism ever to take place on American soil were underway. Now, 10 years later, the social and political consequences of those attacks are still being felt, in the United States and around the world.

Join UNCW students, faculty, staff, community guests, guest speakers and guest performers to reflect on the events of 9/11, how they affected Americans collectively and individually, and the sacrifices made by the many first responders who rushed to the scenes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the plane crash site in Shanksville, Pa.

UNCW's 9/11: Reflecting on a Decade commemorative programming will feature a wide variety of events throughout the week, including lectures, performances, panel discussions and films. All events are free and open to the public. Some highlights:

Friday, Sept. 9: We Remember: A Student Commemoration, 1 p.m., Hoggard Lawn
UNCW students will create a formation of the twin towers of the World Trade Center on Hoggard Lawn to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks, and to reflect upon and honor the service of local first responders and veterans.

Sunday, Sept. 11: Remembrance Ceremony, 6 p.m., Kenan Auditorium
This memorial ceremony to honor the victims of 9/11 will feature a short program with Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and other speakers. Musical tributes will be provided by the Port City Pipers, UNCW Chamber Singers and members of the faculty of UNCW's Department of Music.

Sunday, Sept. 11: Theater Performance: Remembrance Monologues, 7:30 p.m., Kenan Auditorium
Following the Remembrance Ceremony, UNCW's student theater group, Stage Company, presents a dynamic monologue series—adapted from real-life accounts—to honor those whose lives were lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

Monday, Sept. 12: Faces of War: A Veteran Account, 7 p.m., Lumina Theater
After deploying to Afghanistan soon after 9/11, Jennifer Crane had problems adjusting to war and was dismissed from Operation Enduring Freedom. Back home, Jennifer had flashbacks about the war and turned to drugs, losing her job and her home. She is now an agent for the Hope's Voice Nonprofit and a speaker for one of its programs, Faces of War.

Tuesday, Sept. 13: Keynote Address, 7 p.m., Kenan Auditorium
Bruce Hoffman will speak on 9/11: Reflecting on a Decade. As an expert in terrorism and insurgency for more than 30 years, Hoffman serves as director of the Center for Peace and Security Studies at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

A full listing of 9/11: Reflecting on a Decade events can be found online at www.uncw.edu/911.

Media are invited to attend and cover any and all of the week's events. The "We Remember: A Student Commemoration" event at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 will provide strong visual opps. A bucket truck will be provided for media to get aerial photos and video of the student formation of the twin towers. Interviews are available with student organizers.

UNCW can also offer numerous faculty experts to comment on the 9/11 anniversary and various aspects of the attacks, from terrorism and Middle East relations to privacy issues related to the Patriot Act to cultural and psychological changes America and its people experienced after living through the most devastating attack on American soil.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.508.3127 or fischettid@uncw.edu