Distributed August 30, 2002
For Immediate Release

News Service Contact: Mary Jo Curtis



University will observe first anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks

The Brown University community will observe Sept. 11 with a variety of events commemorating the victims of last year’s terrorist attacks and reflecting upon the lessons learned in the intervening months.


PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Just as it did on Sept. 11, 2001, the Brown University community will gather on the steps of Manning Chapel, this time to mark the one-year anniversary of that tragic day in our nation’s history.

Faculty, administrators and students have planned a series of events to commemorate the lives of those lost in the terrorist attacks of that day and to provide opportunities to reflect on the lessons we have since learned. It was at a campus gathering on Sept. 11, 2001, that President Ruth J. Simmons challenged the University community to accept its responsibilities to society in a time of global uncertainty and to “make every effort to learn how to abate conflict and how to repair breaches in human accord.”

In addition to the University’s formal commemoration, the Watson Institute for International Studies is sponsoring 911+1: The Perplexities of Security, a 12-day multimedia exhibition and forum on security and terror in the information age. Organized by the Watson’s Information Technology, War and Peace Project, this exhibition will transform the Watson building into a living cultural laboratory to draw together artists, humanists, policymakers and social scientists in a critical dialogue. Activities (detailed by date below) range from media exhibitions and videoconferences, to public lectures and panels and a student short-film competition. For information on participating artists, visit http://www.watsoninstitute.org.

Sunday, Sept. 8

  • 7:30 p.m., Watson Institute (111 Thayer St.) – Opening of 911+1: The Perplexities of Security exhibition and reception

Monday, Sept. 9

  • 2-4 p.m., Third World Center, 68 Brown St. – “What have we learned since Sept. 11, 2001?”
    An open discussion with Dean Karen McLaurin-Chesson
  • 2:30-4 p.m., Sarah Doyle Women’s Center, 26 Benevolent St. – Open discussion with Director Gail Cohee
  • 7-8:30 p.m., Arnold Lounge, Keeney Quad – “What have we learned since Sept. 11, 2001?” Graduate student gathering, with discussion led by David Ames, Episcopal chaplain and clinical assistant professor of community health
  • Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m., Watson Institute – Lecture: “Aesthetic Securities,” Thomas Y. Levin, Princeton University, curator of 911+1: The Perplexities of Security; Awards announcement and screening of the winning entries in student short-film competition

Tuesday, Sept. 10

  • 4 p.m., Watson Institute – Forum: “The Cultural Politics of Security, Terror and Technology” with Benjamin Bratton, University of California–Santa Barbara; Chris Hables Gray, University of Great Falls, Montana; J.C. Herz, Joystick Nation Inc.; Cynthia Weber, Leeds University

Wednesday, Sept. 11

  • 12 p.m., Watson Institute – Video teleconference with university scholars in Egypt and Israel
  • 12:30 p.m., Manning Chapel portico and the Front Green – “A Gathering: One Year Later,” commemorating the nation’s fallen
  • 4 p.m., Sayles Hall, The College Green – Watson Institute keynote lecture: “American Power in an Insecure World,” Jean Bethke Elshtain, Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago Divinity School

Friday, Sept. 13

  • 12 p.m., Watson Institute – Research Seminar: “Missing Voices: Trauma, Memory and Sovereign Power,” Jenny Edkins, University of Wales at Aberystwyth

Monday, Sept. 16

  • 4 p.m., Watson Institute – Lecture: “America’s War on Terrorism: A Military Perspective,” Rear Admiral Rodney P. Rempt, USN, President, Naval War College

Friday, Sept. 20

  • 7:30 p.m., Watson Institute – Lecture: “After Terror,” Ted Honderich, Grote Professor Emeritus of the Philosophy of Mind and Logic, University College London; Closing reception for 911+1: The Perplexities of Security

Also in Providence, Sept. 11

In addition to the University events listed above, the following observances are planned on Sept. 11 in Providence for the Rhode Island community:

  • 8:30 a.m., Rhode Island State House – Dedication of the state memorial; President Ruth J. Simmons will join Gov. Lincoln Almond at the unveiling of a sculpture by Peter Diepenbrock
  • 5:30 p.m., Fleet Skating Center – Reflective ceremony
  • 6:45 p.m., Waterplace Park – Unveiling ceremony for the Wall of Hope
  • 7:02 p.m. – Ceremonial lighting of WaterFire
  • 7:30 p.m., Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, Cathedral Square – Interfaith prayer service

For more information on the Wall of Hope, visit http://www.nccjri.org/.

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