Response to 9/11 National Tragedy | College of the Holy Cross
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Holy Cross Response to 9/11 National Tragedy

Members of the College of the Holy Cross community extend their sympathy and prayers to all those affected by the recent terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. In particular, our prayers go out to those who lost loved ones and to those who have friends and family still missing.

Resources for Support

In light of the recent tragic national events, the Counseling Center and Chaplains' Office have co-sponsored support groups for students. Students who attend have a chance to express feelings and concerns focused on difficult questions such as: How do I deal with loss? How do I support a friend? Am I reacting "normally?" How can I ask for help from others?

Faculty & Staff Debriefing

The Wellness Corporation (provider of the College Employee Assistance Program) conducted a critical incident debriefing around the terrorist acts on Sept. 11 for all interested faculty, staff and support staff. At the debriefing, staff from the Wellness Corporation provided general information about trauma, coping strategies and resources as well as an opportunity for open discussion. The session took place on Friday, Sept. 21.

"Responding to the Terrorist Attack on America"

On Wednesday, Sept. 19, there was a roundtable discussion sponsored by the department of political science and the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture.

Participants:
Professor Ward Thomas, department of political science; Professor George Lane, department of political science and former ambassador to South Yemen; Professor Predrag Cicovacki, department of philosophy; and Captain Labrecque, USN, naval science

"Understanding Islam"

There will be an open forum on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Hogan Campus Center. All are invited to join an open dialogue with specialists on Islam, voice their concerns and ask questions about the religion.

Participants:
Jimmy Jones, professor of world religions and African studies at Manhattanville College; specialist in Muslim-American identity; Qamar-ul Huda, assistant professor of Islamic studies and comparative theology at Boston College, specialist in Islamic spirituality and ethics; Christopher Alario, Yale University, specialist in theoretical Sufism and the modernist roots of "Jihadist Islam"; Todd Lewis, professor of world religions at Holy Cross; Laury Silvers-Alario, visiting lecturer and advisor to MECCA (Muslim Endeavor to Create Cultural Awareness) students at Holy Cross; Gary DeAngelis, associate director, Center for Interdisciplinary and Special Studies at Holy Cross. This event is sponsored by the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture.

Assistance Efforts

As a result of the many requests and suggestions from students, faculty and staff, the Student Programs Office initiated fund-raisers and donation drives. In an effort to help the victims and volunteers of the tragic events, the community joined together and sponsored the following relief efforts:

Relay for Disaster Relief

In the wake of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, the country is experiencing a new sense of national shared purpose. The attacks perpetuated an unprecedented nationwide rescue effort as many people realized their obligations to one another. As a Jesuit liberal arts college that fosters a lifestyle of service, all of us are called to become men and women for others. Acknowledging that this belief is at the core of our tradition, the Holy Cross community will help seek justice by serving one another.

All students, faculty and staff were invited to participate in a campus-wide fund raiser for the families devastated by the terrorist attacks. On Friday, Oct. 12, there was a relay race at 6:30 p.m. at the Hart Center track. The challenge was for each team to complete 50 laps (run or walk) before 10 p.m.

Residence Hall Assistants organized teams on their halls, in addition to numerous departments and offices. Over 300 energetic students, faculty, staff and family members raised over $7,000; all proceeds were contributed to Families of Freedom, a scholarship fund created to provide education assistance for post-secondary study to financially needy children and spouses of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

For additional information contact Susie Kavanaugh '03 or Betsy Cracco, in the Counseling Center.

Campus-Wide Salvation Army Supply Drive
Friday, Sept. 14 - Friday, Sept. 21

Items Obtained: Men's and Women's New or Used Jeans, Men and Women's Underwear, Men and Women's T-Shirts, Bottled Water, Gatorade, Toothbrushes and Other Toiletry Items, and Non-Perishable Food Items.

Blood Drive Shuttles
Tuesday, Sept. 18 and Wednesday, Sept. 19

Shuttles ran on the hour from 11a.m. - 4 p.m.

Monetary Donations
Friday, Sept. 14 - Friday, Sept. 21

The College accepted monetary donations to the relief effort on behalf of the Salvation Army.

Help the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks - Display Your Patriotism!
Starting on Wednesday, Sept. 26, the class officers will be selling red, white and blue ribbons in Hogan to raise money for those harmed by the terrorists on Sept. 11. The ribbons will cost $1, but larger donations are encouraged. Ribbons will be sold next to the Bookstore and across from Cool Beans until Holy Cross raises enough money to help those hurt most by the atrocities.

Thank you,
The presidents, vice presidents, secretaries and treasurers of the Classes of '02, '03 & '04

Information about victims of the tragedy

Many members of the Holy Cross family have been in touch with us, passing on or requesting news about survivors and victims. Holy Cross has a longstanding policy of not revealing biographical information about alumni/ae. We want to protect the privacy of our alumni/ae, particularly, at this most difficult time when there is much unknown and unconfirmed information about individuals. When the College receives official notification (either from a family member or from a printed obituary) of an alumnus/a's death, this information is provided to his or her classmates.

In Memoriam

In honor of the memory of those we have lost.

  • Edward A. (Ted) Brennan, III, Class of 1986
  • Thomas D. Burke, Class of 1985
  • Neilie A. Heffernan Casey, Class of 1990
  • John G. Farrell, Class of 1991
  • Todd A. Isaac, Class of 1994; Memorial Service - October 20, 2001
  • Beth A. Quigley, Class of 1997
  • John J. Ryan, Class of 1978

Kindly remember the repose of their souls in your prayers.

 

Related information:
  • 9/11 NYC Mass Homily by Rev. Michael McFarland, S.J.
  • Understanding Islam, War, and Terrorism: Message from MECCA
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