Houghton College (NY) students form a prayer circle at the front of Wesley Chapel following a service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, just two hours after the terrorist attacks. (Photo courtesy of Houghton College)

The tremendous outpouring of anguish and grief following the tragedy turned to action on CIC member campuses, as students, administrators, and faculty members joined together to pour their energy into helping the victims of the attacks and raise money for relief efforts. Among the more creative activities:

Caldwell College (NJ)—Sponsored dormitory meetings with students to address sensitivity issues regarding international students, established a Wall of Remembrance in the Student Center, and offered weekly Night Prayers of Healing.

Dickinson College (PA)—Planted a memorial garden with a permanent marker "to commemorate the Dickinsonians lost in the tragedy as well as those who gave their lives saving others."

Elmhurst College (IL)—Distributed white ribbons symbolizing hope and peace for the entire campus community to wear, and established the "White Ribbon Corner" to disseminate information and provide support.

Felician College (NJ)—Created a stained glass stepping stone in commemoration of the terrorist victims—"it depicts a heart, symbolizing that the victims and heros will always be in our hearts; a circle, symbolizing the world; a dove, symbolizing peace; and a rose bud symbolizing the fact that the stepping stone serves as a memorial."

Nazareth College of Rochester (NY) students sang for relief workers in New York City. The group, comprised of more than 40 students and faculty members, performed hymns, spirituals, and patriotic selections throughout lower Manhattan.

Geneva College (PA)—Announced a significant financial aid package for US Airways employees and their dependents in the wake of expected mass layoffs. Geneva will cut tuition by 40 percent for local US Airways employees furloughed following the terrorist attacks.

Georgian Court College (NJ)—Is offering ten full academic scholarships to the daughters of those who lost their lives in the September 11 attack on America. Valued in excess of $500,000, the academic scholarships are offered to female high school seniors who will attend college in the fall of 2002.

Morehouse College (GA)—Established an ad hoc committee, the Committee for Active Reflective Education (CARE) to help the campus community respond effectively to the crisis, and to develop and implement year-long workshops and teach-ins to help educate students.

Nyack College (NY)—Established an "I'm Okay" list on the college website after the attacks to assist in the accounting of the Manhattan campus students. The list became the electronic community for Nyack College in New York City while the three downtown campus buildings remained off limits. The college trauma team ministered to more than 250 hurt and grieving students and staff.

Robert Morris College (PA)—Produced a documentary entitled "America Talks." Students in a Television Production II class visited New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, PA to conduct "man-on-the-street" interviews.

Shenandoah University (VA)—Participated in an "Interfaith Peace Walk" on September 30 to pray for peace, grieve for victims, and express solidarity with Muslims in the community and show respect for their faith. Several students created a chalk mural of the flag and an American bald eagle, called "Sound of Freedom," then traveled to Washington, DC to create a sister piece at Freedom Plaza entitled, "Vision of Freedom."

St. Bonaventure University (NY)—Scheduled several "Masses of Remem-brance" on campus, in New York City, and in New Jersey for students and alumni to offer support to those who lost family and friends. Sent prayer intention books to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's office and the Pentagon, and distributed more than 1,400 yellow ribbons of remembrance campus-wide.

St. Edward's University (TX)—Sponsored a "Town Hall Meeting" for students to express their thoughts and fears and to ask questions of local experts, and for faculty members with expertise in politics, religion, and psychology to share their insights. Created a web page under the heading, "Vigil of Hope" for submissions of scriptures, poetry, music lyrics, speeches, etc. as a source of solace and support for victims and their families.

Trevecca Nazarene University (TN)—Sent a team of 22 students to New York to work with the Lamb's Manhat-tan Church of the Nazarene, to serve hot meals to hundreds of relief workers, and to minister to workers and citizens traumatized by the terrorist attacks.

Widener College (PA)—Initiated several relief funds, giving all proceeds from football games, football program sales, and donations collected during homecoming week to the American Red Cross. Participated in a "parade for heros"—the America-Unity Day March—to raise funds for the New York Firefighters Relief Fund.

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Last updated: November 26, 2001
Copyright © 2001 The Council of Independent Colleges