Campus remembers Sept. 11
Catherine Pillsbury
Staff Reporter

TCU student leaders are encouraging the TCU community to take a moment of silence at 9:11 a.m. today and volunteer 10 service hours during September as a way to remember and reflect upon Sept. 11, 2001.

“The real emphasis is on the community service and taking that day to reflect personally and to reach out to other people on the anniversary,” Student Government Association President Brad Thompson said.

Students are encouraged to stop whatever they are doing at 9:11 a.m. to remember the day two years ago, Thompson said.

Ashley Earnest, a junior accounting major, said she e-mailed Chancellor Victor Boschini about having a moment of silence because, even though she did not lose anyone on Sept. 11, it was personal to her because it was an attack on the United States.

“I thought a moment of prayer would be appropriate, and I felt that TCU would support me,” Earnest said.

Earnest, who remembers thinking about the attacks last year at 9:11 a.m., said it was meaningful to her to have a moment of silence at that time.

Intercom, which consists of presidents of major organizations on campus, heard of Earnest’s idea and agreed it was a great way to remember and focus, Thompson said.
SGA is showing its appreciation by rewarding students with a pre-purchased ticket to the Smithsonian’s, “September 11: Bearing Witness to History” exhibit at Fort Worth’s Museum of Science and History if they complete 10 service hours.

Students who choose to commemorate Sept. 11 by doing services hours can turn them in and pick up the tickets with Robin Williamson, director of Community Services, in suite 111 of the Student Center.

“We all realize the importance of those who lost their lives on 9-11 and thought it was a good way to commemorate it,” Williamson said.

“We wanted to do something to commemorate Sept. 11, but we didn’t want to do a program that was showy. We wanted to do something that was tasteful,” Thompson said.

Intercom has also decided to tie red, white and blue ribbons around the trees lining University Drive as a way of showing our remembrance, Thompson said.

“It’s a wonderful symbol and gesture,” Williamson said. “Right after 9-11 people had their flags out so it’s a great way to express the significance of the day.”