President Barron has invited Paul Clifford, CEO of the Penn State Alumni Association, to share his thoughts and reflections on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and honor the lives of the Penn State alumni who were lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

There are days that you will always remember where you were. For many Americans, Sept. 11, 2001, is one of those days.

I was sitting in my office in Connecticut, on a gorgeous late summer day, with the “Today” show on the TV in the outer office as background noise. I can still clearly hear my colleague’s voice: “Come and look, a plane just hit the World Trade Center.”

I thought it was a small aircraft, with no more than two people aboard — a tragic, unfortunate accident. As we watched, we witnessed a second explosion, this time in the other tower. We all realized, with growing horror, that this was not simply a mechanical error or pilot mishap but something else. Something that was planned and coordinated. We were experiencing a tragic day in American history, as we were attacked on our own soil.

Many of us began to reach out to our friends and loved ones, frantically calling to check in and make sure people were safe. Within the Penn State community, thoughts quickly went to our alumni family, including those who worked at the World Trade Center or the Pentagon, or those who may have been on a flight that morning.

This shocking day is burned into my memory, and probably yours, too. The memory is so fresh, still so vivid, that it’s hard to believe how 20 years have passed.

Upon the 20th commemoration this year of Sept. 11, we will be mourning victims; recognizing first responders and other heroes, and families and friends; and reflecting on the resilient spirit of the American people. We will hear stories of hope and healing, remembrance, and reflection, and among them will be stories of at least 10 Penn Staters lost in this world-altering act of terror.

As a University community, it is fitting that we pause to recognize the loss of our alumni in the tragedy of that day and the sacrifices of so many more in the aftermath.

Today, we honor:

• Kermit Anderson, Spring 1965, Bachelor of Science, Mathematics;
• Patrick Dwyer, Summer 1986, Bachelor of Science, Finance;
• Michael Ferugio, Spring 1987, Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering;
• Scott Hazelcorn, Fall 1994, Bachelor of Science, Accounting;
• Howard L. Kane, Spring 1983, Bachelor of Science, Accounting;
• David Kovalcin, Winter 1983, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Spring 1985, Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering;
• Michele Nelson, Summer 1985, Bachelor of Science, Psychology;
• Michael Pescherine, Spring 1991, Bachelor of Science, Finance, and Spring 1994, Master of Business Administration;
• Jean Roger, Summer 1999 (non-degree); and
• David Suarez, Summer 1999, Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering.

As a community, we grieve their untimely deaths and share our deepest condolences with their families and friends. No person should have to bear the profound and deep pain of losing loved ones so senselessly. We hope their families find comfort in friends and family, and in their fond memories of those we lost that day. In the aftermath of Sept. 11, the lives of many more Penn Staters were lost due to health complications resulting from the attacks. Other Penn Staters gave their lives defending our nation in the subsequent war against terror. We mourn these losses as well, and hope that their families have found peace.

I realize many in our University community do not remember or were not yet born when the tragedy of 9/11 occurred. My children, now young adults, were too young to have specific memories; however, they are aware of the events of that day and how it forever changed our country and the world in which we live.

While Sept. 11 is a day of mourning and remembrance, it is also a day of self-care and benevolence. Our Penn State community is strong, and I encourage all Penn Staters to reflect on this day; to understand its significance in American history; to continue to act with kindness, compassion and understanding now and into the future as our nation and our world needs our attention and needs us to practice diplomacy.  In the end, this is who we are when we say ‘We Are!’

As we memorialize the lives of the alumni we have lost and recognize their contributions to our Penn State community and beyond, we greatly appreciate the contributions of various donors who have sought to honor them. I would like to thank various individuals for the establishment of scholarships in memoriam of several alumni, including:

• Jill Grashof Anderson for the Kermit C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship within the Eberly College of Science;
• New York City Chapter of PSAA for the Penn State Chapter of New York City Michael D. Ferugio Memorial Scholarship Fund within Undergraduate Education; and
• Colleagues of David Suarez at Deloitte U.S. for the David Suarez Memorial Scholarship – A Remembrance within Undergraduate Education, as well as the Starr Foundation for the David S. Suarez Memorial Scholarship within the College of Engineering.

We would love to hear from you. Please share your memories, experiences, or a story of a loved one lost on Sept. 11 on the Penn State Alumni Association’s Facebook page.

Today, as a united Penn State community, we keep the memory of these Penn Staters alive and honor all they did to bring glory to Dear Old State.

For the Glory,

Paul J. Clifford ‘20g
CEO, Penn State Alumni Association