College and University Blog

College football was on the minds of many today, but September 11th memorial services were held in remembrance of lives lost in the terrorist attacks nine years ago—friends and family members of 9/11 victims gathered at the World Trade Center site in New York City, and President Barack Obama attended a service in Washington, D.C. Additionally, various 9/11 events were held at colleges and universities across the United States.

Most Americans refer to the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks as “Nine Eleven” or simply “September 11th” but President George W. Bush signed a law designating the date to be known as Patriot Day on December 18, 2001. The American flag is to be flown at half-staff at individual homes, the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings in the country and abroad each September 11th.

Patriot Day 9/11 Memorials Held on College Campuses

In addition to the large commemorative ceremonies held in New York and Washington, memorial services took place today on college campuses across the country. Below you can learn more about Patriot Day activities which happened at various colleges and universities. If your school also held a 9/11 memorial activity, please feel free to let me know.

Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA

A pause was held at 9 AM to remember those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In honor of the 3,000 victims, Taps was played while the flag was lowered to half-staff, followed by a moment of silence, then the ringing of the bell at Denny Hall. A wreath was placed in memory of the victims and the ceremony concluded with a brief prayer.

For more information: Dickinson College

Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI

Madison College’s Vets for Vets Club and the college’s Volunteer Center held a special remembrance ceremony to honor all victims of 9/11. The ceremony also included comments from local firefighters and law enforcement. Following the presentation, Madison College students read the names of all fallen law enforcement, firefighters, medical personnel and civilians who were killed in the September 11 attacks.

For more information: Madison Area Technical College

Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA

A September 11 commemoration took place at the Saddleback College Veterans Memorial with the chief of police, who is also a Marine Corps veteran, serving as Master of Ceremonies. Various speakers were given the opportunity to share thoughts with the crowd, and a wreath was laid at the Veterans Memorial during a moment of silence. The ceremony ended with a rendition of America the Beautiful.

For more information: Saddleback College

Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL

The Collegiate Veterans Society held a September 11 remembrance during a ceremony on Friday, September 10 at 4 pm at the flagpole circle in front of the administration building on the main campus.

For more information: Santa Fe College

Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA

More than 6,500 American flags were flying on campus as hundreds of people honored the men and women who gave their lives in defense of the United States and the war on terror at the 2010 September 11th Memorial Event, sponsored by the university’s Student Veterans of America. Shippensburg University has between 300 and 400 students that are veterans.

For more information: Shippensburg University

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

The Young America’s Foundation provided the College Republicans with 2,977 American flags which were planted on the campus cathedral lawn to commemorate each victim of the September, 11 attacks.

For more information: University of Pittsburgh

Posted on 11 Sep

Melissa Rhone+

Melissa Rhone earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Tampa. She resides in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys writing about college, pop culture, and epilepsy awareness.