A Magazine for Alumni, Parents and Friends
of the SUNY College at Oneonta

Alumni Association President's Message

 

Sam Rosenberry '75

Since our alma mater was founded in 1889, the College at Oneonta family has gathered together “in honor and good faith” in times of celebration and in times of sorrow.  There could be no better illustration of this sense of community than what we experienced on campus on September 11, 2002.

The rainy morning began with a dedication ceremony for our World Trade Center memorial in the quad near the Fine Arts Building.  Alumnus and New York City Firefighter John Jermyn ’81 had the honor of laying the dedication wreath. Those who were present at Commencement 2002 will remember John’s moving speech about his personal experience on September 11, 2001.  The Mohawk Valley Pipers and I accompanied President Alan B. Donovan as he dedicated the monument, and our University Police were joined by state and local police agencies and firefighters to provide an honor guard. 

The fitting memorial, designed by local sculptor Charles Bremer, consists of two twelve-foot columns representing the twin towers.  The points of impact are symbolized by raised floral designs and a seven-pointed star -- one point for each of our lost alumni.  The plaque near the memorial reads as follows: 

We dedicate this memorial and place of contemplation to all those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center disaster, including families and friends of the College at Oneonta, and especially our alumni who perished that day. Martin Lizzul ’91 Lynne Irene Morris ’00 Michael J. Mullin ’96 Jeffrey R. Nussbaum ’86 Kevin Owen Reilly ’95 Brian J. Terrenzi ’95 Glenn J. Winuk ’83

Later that evening, the College community gathered again for a candlelight vigil in front of the Milne Library.  Luminaries lit the path from our World Trade Center Memorial to the steps of the library, where students shared their thoughts through words and song.  John Jermyn ’81 added expressions of reassurance and optimism to the crowd of nearly 2,000.  Students presented John with a quilt and sheets of written reflections that he took home to the New York City Fire Museum, along with the funds that students had raised for firefighters who are undergoing burn treatment.

Since taking office as President of your alumni association in July, I’ve had the good fortune to participate in several important College events.  It was a particular honor to represent you, my fellow alumni, on September 11, 2002, a day that all Americans anticipated with anxiety and grief.  I was fortunate to be able to spend that day in the comfort of our College at Oneonta community.

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