SUNY Cortland marks 25th anniversary of Sept. 11

08/24/2026

SUNY Cortland will honor those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with events to recognize their 25th anniversary. Seven Cortland alumni were among the 2,997 victims who lost their lives.

Those alumni included:

• Donald Spampinato, Jr. '84

The campus community is invited to join in remembering the heroism that resulted from one of the most tragic days in American history.

Sandwich Seminar: Memories of 9/11
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Corey Union Fireplace Lounge

Paul Arras, associate professor of communication and media studies and faculty advisor for the Dragon Chronicle, will lead a forum for the campus community to share their own 9/11 stories.

"Those who were alive and remember 9/11 will never forget where they were," Arras said. "Come and, if you are comfortable, share your own story with others in the community. This sharing of stories can be a powerful way to learn about and remember our collective past."

Special screening of CNN's 2002 special, America Remembers
Friday, Sept. 11, 3 to 5 p.m.
Corey Union Exhibition Lounge

The 90-minute video, initially broadcast to mark the first anniversary of 9/11, includes CNN footage and interviews with CNN journalists and employees. It is one of the earliest retrospectives, offering perspectives closer in time to the events. Arras will lead a discussion after the viewing.

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Friday, Sept. 11, 6 to 7 p.m.
Corey Union Steps

SUNY Cortland Emergency Medical Services and the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association will host the university's annual remembrance ceremony. The rain location will be the Corey Union Function Room.

Special Dragon Chronicle 25th Anniversary Print Issue

Students in Arras' Introduction to Media Literacy class conducted interviews last fall on campus and across Cortland as well as with relatives with firsthand experiences of 9/11. During the spring semester, the editors of the Dragon Chronicle collected and edited several of those stories for a print edition. It will be available on campus during the week of 9/11. More stories will be published on the Dragon Chronicle website through September.