Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Students at the University of North Carolina Wilmington will gather on Hoggard Lawn at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks. A student-organized part of “Reflecting on a Decade,” the university’s week-long series of events in remembrance of the attacks, WE REMEMBER will honor the victims, their families, first responders and military veterans.

A major part of the event will be the formation of the Twin Towers by students standing on Hoggard Lawn, dressed in teal. Each student will hold up a placard with the name of a victim of the terrorist attacks on that day. All 2,977 names will be printed on sheets of paper and handed out to participants.

The event has been organized by UNCW graduate student Bill Hawks. Working with co-chair Alexis Gonzalez, the Student Government Association, the Association for Campus Entertainment, the Student Ambassadors, Housing and Residence Life and other campus groups, Hawks has publicized the event to the student body through Facebook and Twitter, information tables at campus events, residence hall meetings and informal gatherings.
Hawks said he developed the idea for a large group assembly on campus to bring people together in the proud and patriotic way that he remembered Americans responding right after the attacks.

“I want people to remember that feeling where we all reflected on the impact we have on others, and we came together as Americans ready to do whatever it took to serve our fellow countrymen, disregarding affiliations, biases, races, job titles and incomes,” he said. “
Hawks originally thought of organizing a flash mob to commemorate 9/11, but he said he felt that this idea carried more weight for a somber remembrance.

“This is flash mobbing with a purpose,” he said. “9/11 is a sad day for many people, and recent analysis of the events has turned into a point of division and contention. While I don’t expect people to be all smiles when remembering this tragedy, I do think that we have a chance to refocus our priorities as a student body and as a country. The ability to come together for the greater good is something we can all celebrate and be optimistic about.”

More information about this event is available on Facebook. Log on and search for We Remember: UNCW.

Media Notes:

• A bucket truck will be made available for aerial photography and videos of the Twin Towers formation
• The formation is expected to come together about 1:15 p.m.
• At 1 p.m. a ceremony will take place honoring local first responders and veterans, featuring the National Anthem performed by the High Seas and brief remarks by Hawks and Pat Leonard, UNCW vice chancellor for student affairs
• Interviews are available prior to and day of the event with Bill Hawks and Alexis Gonzalez

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