George Washington University students, faculty and staff came together Tuesday to honor the memories of the nine GW alumni and all those who died as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks.
The ceremony, in the Marvin Center Great Hall, included a presentation of the colors by the GW Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, a rendition of the national anthem by Millicent Scarlett, adjunct professor of music, and two musical selections by the GW Troubadours student a cappella group.
In his remarks, President Thomas LeBlanc said shining brighter than acts of hate and violence on 9/11 were acts of heroism, sacrifice and selflessness, including from GW alumni.
“We honor their memories by redoubling our resolve to effect positive change in this world and live in service to others and always remembering our alumni who died that day but are forever memorialized, on our campus and in our hearts,” Dr. LeBlanc said.
President of GW Veterans Ryan Welch and Student Association President Ashley Le read the names of the alumni lost as attendees held candles honoring:
Sara M. Clark
Andrew K. Friedman
Melissa M. Harrington Hughes
Robert F. Mace
John P. O’Neill
Todd H. Reuben
John Sammartino
Andrew Stergiopoulos
James T. Waters Jr.
(William Atkins/GW Today)
Hank Molinengo, senior associate dean for administrative affairs at GW Law, was a Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps captain and on another side of the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the western façade of the building, he said, reflecting on the Navy’s response and his realization that service members would be called on to protect the country for many years to come.
“All I can say is the world changed that day,” he said.
The ceremony, organized in partnership by the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services, Sigma Delta Tau and the Student Association, followed a campus-wide moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., when 17 years ago American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center.