Key ways to join TU in the 9/11 Day of Remembrance online

September 10, 2020

Towson University’s campus community will mark – virtually- the 19^th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, when 19 al-Qaida militants hijacked four planes to carry out suicide attacks, killing 2,977 people.

While members of the TU community are largely not on campus during the pandemic, there will still be activities to promote reflection, kindness, gratitude and service. The campus will pay tribute to all the individuals lost and injured during the attacks, honor first responders and those who have risen in service to defend freedom, remember the 69 Marylanders lost, including TU alumna Elizabeth Wainio ‘95. Wainio was aboard United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked and crashed in Shanksville, PA.

“During this unprecedented time, the TU community remains committed to remembering all the people lost during the September 11, 2001 attacks,” President Kim Schatzel says. “We will never forget our alumna Elizabeth Wainio, first responders and all the heroes of that day. I’m thankful for all that our Military & Veterans Center does to support our commitment to a welcoming campus for every member of the Towson University community. At TU, we continue working toward a more peaceful society and it starts with our own TU community.”

Here are some ways you can mark the day, along with TU:

• A flag-raising ceremony by the members of the Military and Veteran’s Center will be broadcast on the Center's Instagram account. The flag raising will take place at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center. A campus wide moment of silence will take place at 8:45 am.
• Give to the The Elizabeth Wainio Memorial Communications Scholarship. The scholarship was established by her family and friends to honor her memory by supporting current TU communications majors. Giving to the fund Wainio’s legacy lives on through the memorial scholarship named in her honor, offering nearly $20,000 annually to students in Towson's Department of Mass Communication. Her sister, Sarah, said, "Lizzie's life ended on September 11, 2001; but she is much much more than that day. She liked mediocre Chinese food, attempting to make sushi at home, fur babies, and above all else, spending time with her family and friends. I can demonstrate my tremendous love for my sister, by telling her story to others. Supporting the Elizabeth Wainio Scholarship is an action to celebrate her life and invest in the future of great journalism. I invite you to join me."

• When on campus, the community can visit TU 9/11 Memorial Garden, which was created by Housing and Residence Life to offer a peaceful place of reflection. The garden will host the flag-raising ceremony.

• In honor of 9/11, the Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility has partnered with OperationGratitude to help send nationwide letters of gratitude and appreciation to our Deployed Troops, First Responders, and Healthcare Providers that continuously work so hard to keep us safe. Show support for the community for this day of remembrance and send letters of support and gratitude. Sign up before midnight of Friday, September 11th, 2020.