MCC Daily Tribune

TV, Radio Coverage of 9-11 Ceremony

MCC’s September 11 commemoration ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks brought approximately 75 students, faculty, staff and community members to the Brighton Campus to pay tribute to 9/11 victims and first responders. WHEC-TV, WHAM-TV, WROC-TV and WXXI News (AM 1370) covered the event.

Rochester remembers lives lost on September 11, 2001, WXXI News (AM 1370)
MCC 9/11 Remembrance ceremony and walk, WHEC-TV
“Never forget”: Twenty years later, what stays with us from 9/11, WHAM-TV
“It was overwhelming”: News readers reflect on horror, sadness of 9/11, The Buffalo News (scroll down the web page to see video)

Jessica L. Brown ’02 and Daniel Chupe-O’Hanlon ’02, whose vision led to the creation of the September 11th Remembrance Walk monument on the Brighton Campus in 2002, returned to offer their reflections and announced the creation of the Brown-Chupe-O'Hanlon 9/11 Student Leadership Scholarship initiative so "more students will be supported to find their leadership, follow their passion, and make a difference."

Here are snippets of remarks from all speakers:

"We saw amazing acts of compassion, heroism, selflessness and dedication all unfold in front of us in real-time on TV for those of us who were fortunate enough not to experience it in person. When I served on the SGA here at MCC shortly after, the leadership and dedication of the students and faculty impressed me so much that I felt I needed to do more. It was the final push for me to join the Marines and do my part." -- keynote speaker Andrew J. “A.J.” Tascione ’02, an MCC alumnus and U.S. Marine Corps veteran
"We need to take the time to thank those that responded to not only to this event, but continue to be first responders to whatever emergency they are called to -- be it firefighters, police officers or medics. They truly are willing to risk their lives for you and your loved ones. We also need to thank their families, as I for one can attest to the fact that I could not do this without the support I get from home." -- keynote speaker Fishers Fire District Chief Daniel Chapman
"As someone who was not born yet when 9/11 took place, I learned about the horror of that day through history classes. It wasn’t until last Tuesday, as my peers and I placed (say number very slowly) 3,047 flags in the front of the college when I truly understood the enormity of that number. Through this experience and this ceremony, the younger generation is given the opportunity to truly understand the depth of the tragedy that occurred on September 11th, 2001." -- Isabella DeRubeis, student government president
"This annual event has been led and organized by student leaders since 2002, and emerged from the caring and compassionate spirit of our students who wanted to honor both, the lives lost, as well as the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001. The day that changed our lives forever. The events drew such great support, it led to building and dedicating a place of remembrance, a memorial, which provides a home for continued reflection and healing on MCC’s campus." -- Dr. Kim McKinsey-Mabry, acting vice president of Student Services
"I honor those lives lost on and after 9/11 by continuing to recognize those who serve at every capacity, as well as their family and friends who are in attendance today. While a 20-year milestone is not one we want to commemorate, it is important we never forget." -- Jessica Brown
"20 years ago, the 9/11 disasters changed the world. At that same time to me, my life changed and undoubtedly everyone’s lives I have touched since that fateful day. My leadership started here at Monroe Community College and has changed the world." -- Daniel Chupe-O’Hanlon
"Designing this memorial in March of 2002, one of the greatest challenges was that we lacked sufficient perspective to truly understand this day. Today, twenty years on, the events of September 11th are better understood, though history is still being written. The bricks that line this Remembrance Walk are a “living” component of this design where people and new events can be remembered, where MCC can continue to document this history and our community can participate." -- Mark Maddalina, who was the lead designer of the monument and has returned to campus every year to speak and mark the 9/11 anniversary.

President Emeritus Tom Flynn, who led MCC in 2001-02, attended the event with wife Kate.

Images and videos of the event are available on Facebook. Twitter and Instagram.

Hency Yuen-Eng
Government and Community Relations
09/13/2021