University Plans Commemoration for 20th Anniversary of September 11

Published:
Categories:
Back to News

Art gallery, films, concerts and other programs will take place at the University and SHU Community Theatre

Sacred Heart University will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with tribute events on campus and at the SHU Community Theatre, 1420 Post Road, Fairfield.

“This year, as we mark the 20-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Sacred Heart University will host several events to honor those who lost their lives on that tragic day,” said SHU President John J. Petillo. “Commemorating the day this year is particularly important, as many of our students were not yet alive when this happened. It is important not only to remember, but to educate our younger students on the impact this day had on our country.”

The commemoration features an array of lectures and films and concludes with the opening of SHU’s Art & Design Gallery exhibit “To Bear Witness.” The new exhibit, open from Sept. 14 to Dec. 11., is an innovative, multimedia exploration of the ways modern day media impacts the personal perceptions of 9/11. “To Bear Witness” incorporates photography, augmented reality, interactivity, video, audio and more.

The complete schedule of SHU’s 9/11 commemoration includes:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m.: Screening of Sky So Blue by Tim Oliver, followed by a question-and-answer session, at the SHU Community Theatre
  • Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 2 p.m.: Colloquia on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, hosted by Michelle Loris, professor and associate dean of curriculum and special projects at the College of Arts & Sciences, and Richard Falco, coordinator of multimedia journalism at the School of Communication, Media & the Arts, in the Frank and Marisa Martire Center for the Liberal Arts theatre
  • Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m.: Screening of The Second Day, followed by a question-and-answer session at the SHU Community Theatre
  • Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m.: Interfaith memorial service with a candlelight vigil at the chapel quad
  • Thursday, Sept. 9, at 3 p.m.: Screening of Saint of 9/11, followed by a question-and answer session, hosted at the SHU Community Theatre
  • Friday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.: The Community Unity Concert, featuring cast members of Amateur Night at the Apollo, with special guest musicians and vocalists; hosted by the SHU Community Theatre
  • Saturday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m.: Placing American flags on the University’s lower quad
    • 12:30 p.m.: Photography presentation by Richard Falco, live musical tribute composed by adjunct music instructor Joe Utterback and Ken Tedeschi, film screening of Boatlift and panel discussion with Michelle Loris, Richard Falco and Hadar Lubin, co-founder and medical director of the Post Traumatic Stress Center in New Haven and associate clinical professor at Yale University. This event is at the SHU Community Theatre.
    • 7 p.m.: Local Legends Show, featuring Jay Stollman, with special guests and words from first responders, at the SHU Community Theatre
  • Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 4:30 p.m.: Official Art & Design Gallery opening reception for “To Bear Witness,” an innovative multimedia exploration of the ways that modern day media impacts personal perceptions of Sept. 11. The exhibit incorporates photography, augmented reality, interactivity, video and audio to envision how the multitude of media available will one day become the collective, iconic memories of grief, fear and shock. The exhibit was inspired by Richard Falco’s 2003 book, To Bear Witness, September 11. The exhibit was designed by Jon Walker, professor of design, and it was produced by Mary Treschitta, professor and chair of art & design and gallery director. This opening reception is at SHU’s Art & Design Gallery on the Fairfield Campus.

For information, visit the SHU Community Theatre website.

Photo credit: Rick Falco