(Suffern, NY) September 12, 2024 — Rockland Community College (RCC) held a moving 9/11 Memorial Ceremony yesterday to honor and remember those who lost their lives during the World Trade Center attacks and their aftermath. The event took place at the RCC Quad and featured a series of commemorative activities attended by students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Ceremony Highlights
The ceremony opened with remarks from Dr. Tinny Cheung, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, followed by a welcome address from Dr. Victoria Ukachukwu, Provost. Hafiza Swire-Hosein, Student Trustee Member, led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. The event included musical tributes, featuring the National Anthem and “Amazing Grace.” Christopher Plummer, Director of the Cultural Arts Theatre, presented Out of the Blue, a reflective piece by Professor Emeritus and Rockland County Poet Laureate Dan Masterson.
“It was a tragic event that shocked the world and struck at the very chord of our humanity,” said Dr. Victoria Ukachukwu, RCC Provost. “However, the spirit of unity, resilience, strength, and courage that emerged from that tragedy has continued to reaffirm our faith in our shared values.”
Honoring the Names
A poignant moment in the ceremony was the reading of names by RCC student veterans, including Brett Bazaar (USA), Miguel Dominguez Barrales (USMC), Ryan Eshbach (USA), Giovanni Iovino (USN), and Tom Liepke (USMC). They honored the residents, former residents, relatives of residents, and others connected to Rockland County who perished in the attacks, as documented by Bob Baird, a columnist for the Journal News. The reading of the names served as a heartfelt tribute, honoring the memory of each individual.
Reflections at the Memorial Garden
Attendees gathered around the Spirit Rising sculpture by local artist Eric David Laxman, the centerpiece of the 9/11 Memorial Garden in the RCC Quad. Dedicated in September 2012, the sculpture incorporates steel-beam fragments from the World Trade Center and is complemented by a garden with colorful ceramic tiles by Cathy McErlean-Goddard, carrying the message “Love One Another.”
Support for Veterans
Jonathan Barnwell, Assistant Director of Veteran Affairs, shared details on services and benefits for student veterans and their families. The RCC community supports and honors veterans through these programs. For more information, visit sunyrockland.edu/veterans.
About Rockland Community College
Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCC’s institutional collaborations.
RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and micro credentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.