MCC Students Plan Ceremony to Remember Victims of 9/11 Attacks

September 6, 2022

Joseph Scanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science and coordinator of The Democracy Commitment at MCC

WHAT: Monroe Community College will hold a September 11 Remembrance Ceremony, featuring Joseph Scanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science and coordinator of The Democracy Commitment at MCC, who will deliver keynote remarks addressing the impact of 9/11 on American democracy and the importance of civic participation.

The ceremony memorializes victims of the attacks on the 21st anniversary of 9/11.

Also delivering remarks will be:

MCC Acting Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Services Dr. Kim McKinsey-Mabry ’95.
Paula Barlow, MCC Student Government Association president and a paralegal student. She earned an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences-general studies in June 2022. An advocate for student veterans, she is a parent of five sons, two of whom are reservists and a third serving in the Marine Corps.
Eric Wheeler, assistant director of MCC Veteran Services, who will speak about Gold Star Children of U.S. service members who died serving their country as a result of the 9/11 attacks.
Mark Maddalina, a sustainable design director at SWBR. He served as the lead designer of the monument and has returned to the campus annually to speak and mark the 9/11 anniversary.

WHERE: September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, outside The Pamela Ann Chesonis (PAC) Center, on MCC’s Brighton Campus, 1000 E. Henrietta Road; parking is provided in lot G. Inclement weather venue: Stabins Physical Education Complex gymnasium, adjacent to lot G. Media with vehicles carrying satellite receivers to broadcast live are asked to park on the side, near the athletic field, in lot G.

WHEN: 8–9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11.

DETAILS: Sponsored by the MCC Student Government Association and the Campus Activities Board, the event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Joseph Scanlon is an assistant professor of political science and coordinator of The Democracy Commitment at MCC, a campus initiative that promotes civic education and engagement. His teaching and research interests at MCC center on comparative and international politics. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from the Northern Illinois University School of Public and Global Affairs.

Facts about the September 11th Remembrance monument and ceremony

In 2002, the memorial was erected as a result of early efforts of several MCC student leaders, who quickly drew the support of other students, administrators including then-President Flynn, and local businesses.
The effort to design, build and dedicate a place of remembrance was driven by a desire to create a distinct place for reflection and healing within the community. MCC students annually organize this remembrance ceremony.
The memorial stands at 8 feet and 4 inches high and weighs over six tons. The inscription on the plaque reads: “Our heroes are always in our hearts. In one morning our world changed forever. Let us honor the sacrifices of September 11, 2001 by living our lives in freedom.”
At 8:45 a.m. every Sept. 11, the sun aligns with the monument, a sundial, casting a shadow that bears a likeness to the Twin Towers that once stood.
A moment of silence is observed at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the north tower in New York City.