We remember
While grade-school students will learn about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon as history from before their time, the plane hijackings that took more than 3,000 lives on September 11, 2001, are still vivid memories for Skidmore alumni from 2001 to 2005, who shared their shock and grief all across campus.
Fifteen years ago, the Skidmore News student newspaper dedicated its September 14th issue to the “Day of Infamy.” Coverage included a first-person account from Juan Martinez ‘03, who was just two miles from the World Trade Center, canvassing in Brooklyn for a City Council election.
“From where I was standing,” he writes, “I could clearly see the top halves of the Twin Towers (this didn’t seem to be significant at the time.... you were once able to see the Towers from a lot of spots in the city).” But on that morning, “I heard the perpetual wail of sirens. Every car that passed by was speeding, trying to get to Manhattan before they closed the bridges. There were dozens of people on rooftops.”
The Skidmore News also covered the candlelight vigil, showed student artwork, and interviewed a range of campus members. And it ran a statement from then-president Jamie Studley, who wrote, “The wisdom and sensitivity of our students at the campus gathering on Case Green reinforced my respect for, and confidence in, you as friends, as citizens, as leaders, and deeply caring human beings.”
Hear today’s students, faculty, and staff discuss 9/11’s impact on them.
This year on September 11, Wilson Chapel is open for reflection throughout the day, with candle-lighting available from 10am to 2pm. The Saratoga Springs community is invited to attend the City of Saratoga Springs' 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at High Rock Park from 8:30AM-9:30AM. The ceremony will be held near the Tempered by Memory sculpture, and it will begin with a color guard from the U.S. Navy.