On September 11th, 2001, a terrorist attack against the United States resulted in the deaths of almost 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
Every year John Jay hosts a series of events in remembrance of that day 23 years ago. John Jay markets these events by using three simple words that carry a heavy meaning and describe what the events are aimed at: Recall. Reflect. Reaffirm.
The 9/11 Tribute Day was hosted in the atrium on September 9th, 2024 during community hour and began with Military and Veteran Services (MVS) students and John Jay Student-Athletes placing flags around the 9/11 memorial in Haaren Hall.
The MVS students placed 67 miniature John Jay flags around the base of the memorial to represent the 67 members of the John Jay Community who passed on 9/11. The Student-Athletes placed 23 miniature American flags on either side of the memorial to represent this year being the 23rd anniversary of 9/11.
Lynda Day, Head Coach for John Jay’s Women’s Basketball Team, commented on the purpose of Student-Athlete involvement in the 9/11 event set-up.
“We want to bridge the gap between [our students] and the memory of 9/11, which is important since a lot of these students want to go into public service,” Day said.
The remainder of the event was held as an open platform for students to write gratitude notes to first responders. The notes were then pinned to a board that were displayed at the 9/11 Anniversary Tribute Premier. Students who wrote notes received a 9/11 pin, an American flag magnet, and a cookie.
Mindy Bockstein, John Jay’s Executive Director of External Affairs, commented on the importance of the 9/11 Tribute and other upcoming 9/11 events.
“We want to inspire the community and commit to the legacy of service,” she explained. “We have found through various 9/11 events we can engage, educate, and encourage our future leaders and because of that, the tradition [of remembrance] will remain,” said Bockstein.
The 9/11 Tribute Premiere was held on September 10th, 2024 during community hour at L.61.
The ceremony began with the CUNY Army ROTC Color Guard posting the colors while Gregory Sheppard, a professor in the Department of Art and Music, sang the National Anthem.
Attendees of the event included President Karol V. Mason, John Jay Alumni, and almost two dozen Student-Veterans.
The tribute consisted of a welcome speech from President Mason, readings of two student poems, a recital of the names of the 67 John Jay community members who were lost on 9/11, and a speech from Board Member Markus Green regarding John Jay’s legacy of service and action.
Green challenged students who weren’t alive when 9/11 happened to, “Google and read about it.”
Another part of the tribute included three students reading recounts of 9/11 on behalf of three John Jay Alums in the “Portraits of Heroes” portion of the event.
Misael Azcona, a senior majoring in security management and Navy veteran, was one of the “Portraits of Heroes” student readers. He explained why he volunteered to read at the 9/11 Tribute Premier.
“I was six when 9/11 happened and all the smoke and chaos was confusing for a kid,” he explained. “Reading today allowed a 6 year old me to reflect and give thanks to the people who saved lives on 9/11 and died in the process,” said Azcona.
The Tribute Premier ended with a moment of silence at the 9/11 Memorial Sculpture in Haaren Hall for the lives lost in the tragic events of that day.
More upcoming on-campus events include the DeWitt Clinton Park Clean-Up on September 13th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DeWitt Clinton Park and the John Jay Blood Drive on September 19th from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at room L.61.
Additional information about these events can be found on the John Jay 2024 9/11 Events Page.
The MVS Department will also participate in an off-campus Annual Meal Pack-a-Thon at the Intrepid Museum on September 12th, 2024. This will be the MVS students’ ninth year assembling healthy, dry meals for those in need.
Richard Pusateri, the MVS Program Manager, spoke about the event and its importance.
“It is [about] giving back in memory of 9/11,” he said. “It represents unity and selfless service.”
In addition to the on and off campus events coming up, the English Department hosted a contest for the two poetry pieces that were read at the 9/11 Tribute Premier on September 10th.
Jean Mills, English Department Chair and co-judge of the contest, offered insight as to why the contest was hosted and why it is an important part of this year’s 9/11 remembrance.
“[The contest] was about participation and involvement, and allowed us to gather insight and views from the first generation of students removed from 9/11,” she said. “It gave us a perspective on remembrance,” Mills explained.
As much as the 9/11 events demonstrate the importance of remembering the tragic events of 9/11, the emotional connection comes from talking to John Jay’s students.
Niko Searles, a senior student majoring in criminal justice, offered his insight as to what people should be doing in the coming weeks to properly honor those who have passed away because of 9/11.
“It is simple. People should be remembering and never forgetting,” Searles declared.
Harry Yachimba, a junior majoring in computer science and information security, offered a similar sentiment.
“9/11 brought America together, if even for a second,” Yachimba said.
