--- title: "9/11: 20 Years Later" date: 2021-09-10T05:30:00-04:00 author: University of Maryland canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/9-11-20-years-later" section: Articles --- # 9/11: 20 Years Later *September 10, 2021* — by [Maryland Today Staff](/author/maryland-today-staff) > For Seven Terps, Echoes of Attacks Still Resound *43 485 015 0091 1920x1080 — On Sept. 12, 2001, ODK Fountain became a makeshift memorial for victims of the previous day's terrorist attacks, as over 8,000 members of the campus community turned out on McKeldin Mall for a service of mourning and reflection.* Classes were already in session on the University of Maryland campus 20 years ago tomorrow, when, over a cataclysmic hour and 17 minutes, passenger planes commandeered by terrorists struck the Twin Towers in New York City, slammed into the Pentagon 10 miles away in Northern Virginia and crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pa. Although the university didn’t close that day, few students made it to later classes, the then-editor of The Diamondback later recalled; contemporaneous reporting described them reeling in shock or huddling around campus work trucks, listening to their radios to get news in the era before smartphones. More than 8,000 people converged on McKeldin Mall the following day for a service of mourning and reflection. Students drew together to hug, cry and support each other, while—in a scene presaging strong xenophobic currents of coming decades—the Muslim Students’ Association cautioned Muslims to “observe caution in your public movements,” the newspaper reported. Meanwhile, the University Health Center organized a blood drive, athletic events throughout the ACC were canceled, and UMD counselors met with students to help them come to terms with the trauma of the attacks. While most campus operations resumed Sept. 13, including the annual First Look Fair, they did so in a world already being reshaped by the actions of the al-Qaida terrorists and the reactions of the United States and its allies. Below, seven faculty members, staff and then-students share their recollections of the campus experience and their personal and professional perspectives on the meaning of 9/11 and the changes that followed. *Elinda Kiss headshot* --- *Marsha Guenzler-Stevens headshot* --- *Gary LaFree headshot* --- *Chris Day headshot* --- *Rashawn Ray headshot* --- *James Milke headshot* --- *Tarif Shraim headshot* **Sidebar note:** The University of Maryland will mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with discussions, remembrances and reflections, and a call to service. **Today** [9/11 Then and Now: Renewing a Commitment to Service, Volunteerism and Civic Engagement](https://umd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_k5kt7INmT_OCtOerU2-Hlw) 11 a.m., virtual A cross-disciplinary panel will discuss the impact of the 9/11 attacks and link our knowledge and understanding to present-day events, including Black Lives Matter, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Afghanistan while emphasizing the importance of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. Sponsors include the UMD Cross-Campus Civic Engagement Working Group, College of Education, School of Public Health, School of Public Policy, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and University Chaplains. [Fire Protection Engineering Commemoration](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6wWU5nU2fsLTygyDcvZlTIlSy1jwrY1PJC6rjtlu72GUUbg/viewform) 11 a.m., virtual and at 3106 J.M. Patterson, Fire & Risk Alliance Conference Room The Department of Fire Protection Engineering in the A. James Clark School of Engineering will host lectures on the events of 9/11 and resulting changes. Speakers include Professor Emeritus James Quintiere on the fires and findings on the collapse of World Trade Center towers; SLS Consulting Chief Development Officer Robert Solomon on the influence of 9/11 on the built environment; and New York City Fire Department Chief of Fire Protection Joe Jardin on the department’s recovery and transformation to a responsive all-hazards service provider. Registration is required. [The Sadat Forum: 9/11 and its Aftermath - Squandering Global Goodwill](http://go.umd.edu/SadatForum2021) 2 p.m., virtual Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development, will hold a conversation with Ryan Crocker, former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq; Amaney Jamal, dean of the School of Public and International Affairs and Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Politics at Princeton University and co-principal of the Arab Barometer; and Bruce Riedel, senior fellow and director of the Intelligence Project at Brookings Institute, former White House advisor on the Middle East; and former CIA intelligence officer. The discussion is cosponsored by the Civic Innovation Center and the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement. [Operation Stick-It](https://www.facebook.com/events/369164571220146/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2252%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%22invite_link_id%5C%22%3A142377694690356%7D%7D%5D%22%7D) 5 p.m., McKeldin Mall Members of TerpVets and the Office of Veteran Student Life will plant 3,000 mini American flags on the mall to commemorate the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. They’ll remain up until Monday afternoon. [Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Labyrinth Walk](https://calendar.umd.edu/cal/event/eventView.do?b=de&calPath=%2Fpublic%2Fcals%2FMainCal&guid=CAL-8a8086b9-7baa78d7-017b-ac0e9c20-00001b06demobedework@mysite.edu&recurrenceId=) 5:30 p.m., Memorial Chapel Reflections and prayers across faith traditions will be offered during a service in the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance (Garden Chapel if inclement). Attendees can walk the meditative labyrinth in honor of an individual or group of individuals affected by 9/11. **Saturday** Commemoration at Maryland-Howard football game 7:30 p.m., Maryland Stadium The event will include a patriotic pregame performance by the Mighty Sound of Maryland, a moment of silence, recognitions of “Hometown Heroes” and discounted admission for all first responders. **Monday** [Panel Discussion on Emergency Preparedness](https://umd.alumniq.com/index.cfm/events:register/home/eventId/1395) 6:30 p.m., virtual The School of Public Health and its alumni network will host a panel discussion in recognition of National Preparedness Month and the 20th anniversary of 9/11. It will be moderated by Dean Boris D. Lushniak, MD, MPH, and will feature SPH’s Dylan Roby, associate professor, health policy and management; Ashley Henyan '02, regional communications director for the American Red Cross Washington, D.C.-Baltimore-Wilmington, De.-Eastern Shore region; and Scott Giberson, executive director of corporate affairs, AMI Expeditionary Healthcare. **Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)