Anthony Wise, president of Pellissippi State Community College, invites the public to join students, faculty and staff as they gather on each Pellissippi State campus in tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Pellissippi State takes part with millions of others around the world in observing the 10-year anniversary of the World Trade Center bombing. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 9 at three of the campuses: Pellissippi Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road; Blount County Campus, 2731 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Friendsville; and Magnolia Avenue Campus, 1610 E. Magnolia Ave. The Division Street Campus, 3435 Division St., hosts a tribute at 9 a.m. Sept. 7.
In addition to reflecting on 9/11 and its impact, participants at each campus will be encouraged to honor the victims by performing an act of service sometime during the fall semester, which just started at the college.
“There’s great merit in doing service for others in tribute to those who died on 9/11,” said Annie Gray, associate professor of English. Gray is coordinating the event.
At the Blount County Campus, participants will be joined by the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard and members of the Friendsville Volunteer Fire Department.
Those in attendance will be given the opportunity to share their remembrances of 9/11, says Holly Burkett, assistant dean of the Blount County Campus. Participants also will learn about campus service opportunities, such as the Soles4Souls shoe drive, going on throughout September, and Habitat for Humanity.
The Division Street Campus commemorates the day with a “Conversation Cafe” dedicated to open, civil dialogue focusing on the impact of 9/11 a decade later. Mike North, assistant dean at the Division Street Campus, says participants will discuss a variety of topics, including cultural tolerance and diversity, the changing world we live in, racism, and concerns about and hope for the future.
At the Magnolia Avenue Campus, participants plan to assemble in front of the building. Students and faculty will speak about 9/11 and its impact on the nation. The gathering ends with two activities: a discussion of service to the community and a list of service opportunities to which participants might commit. A documentary on 9/11 will be shown in the Cafeteria during the day, and the community is invited to that as well.
On the Pellissippi Campus, the event takes place in the Courtyard. A minute of silence for those who lost their lives on 9/11 will be observed, student leaders will speak, and Pellissippi State’s student Variations Choir will present a musical tribute. All present will be given an opportunity to make their pledge to public service.
Pellissippi State’s desire to connect students to community involvement is so strong that the college will launch a service learning initiative in October to help students, faculty, staff and the community become familiar with the concept of tying volunteer service to learning.
Gray suggests that those interested in volunteering visit www.911day.org. The site is dedicated to providing resources for organizations and individuals to pay tribute to 9/11 victims. Visitors may enter their zip code to locate service opportunities.
For additional information about this event, contact Annie Gray at (865) 694-6492 or ajgray@pstcc.edu. To request accommodations for a disability, contact the executive director of Human Resources and Affirmative Action at (865) 694-6607 or humanresources@pstcc.edu.