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Western, Macomb
Communities Plan September 11 Remembrance
Quiet reflection, American and international
flags, discussion groups facilitated by the University Counseling
Center, a community program recognizing heroes, reading of the
names of the victims and remarks by President Al Goldfarb
and Student Government Association President Christopher Mullins-Silverstein
are planned on campus and throughout Macomb Sept. 11.
Additionally, beginning Wednesday, Sept.
4, Western Illinois' Tri States Public Radio will broadcast
"Voices of Reflection," including daily special programming
which will conclude Sept. 11 with the "Sonic Memorial
Special" documentary at noon and a special Afternoon Edition
from 4:30-5:30 p.m. featuring local stories by Western's
news team. Later in the semester, Western's College of Arts and
Sciences will host a series of cross-discipline panels organized
by the political science department. On campus the Union Plaza
will be lined with the flags of some 50 nations represented by
Western's international student population and an area will be
setup to receive flowers and candles.
At 8:55 a.m. the Sherman Hall bell
tower carillon will play "God Bless America" to prepare
for a time (5 minutes) of silent reflection at 9 a.m. At
9:05 a.m. the carillon will play "America the Beautiful"
signifying the end of the moments of reflection. Student and campus
organizations will gather in the Union Plaza from 9:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. to read the names of the 9/11 victims.
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
discussions facilitated by the University Counseling Center will
be held each hour in the Union Springfield Room. Discussion topics
will include tolerance, race and hate crimes issues; Islamic perceptions;
the personal impact of 9/11; and a look at "one year later."
Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC) Victim Advocacy will
offer "T-Shirts for Hate Crimes" for individual expression
in the Union Vandalia Room; a poster wall will be set up in the
conference lobby for individuals to express themselves; and televisions
will be set up in the Union conference lobby, Sandburg Theatre
and Murray Street Café for national news broadcasts.
A noon program, "United We Stand/Salute
to Local Heroes," recognizing local and area emergency response
agencies and police and fire departments will be held in Macomb's
Chandler Park. President Goldfarb and Rep. Rich Myers are among
the scheduled participants at the ceremony. The Macomb Community
Quality of Life Committee will recognize six local heroes. President
Goldfarb and Mullins-Silverstein will offer brief remarks
at 5 p.m. in the Union Plaza.
Sept. 11 also marks the beginning of National
Civic Participation Week, endorsed by the U.S. Senate to encourage
the promotion of programs and activities that foster civic participation.
Locally, the League of Women Voters is encouraging participation
in area remembrances and will sponsor public forums on civic issues.
Visit Western's website (www.wiu.edu)
for additional information about schedules and events.
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