From the President: Reflecting on 9/11

September 10, 2024

Dear Southern Community:

As you know, the attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001, left a lasting scar on our nation. And the effects were felt directly on our campus, as two Southern alums -- Angel Pena, ’79, and Seth Morris, ’89 -- were among those who lost their lives in the collapse of the World Trade Center Twin Towers.

Both were loving fathers and successful businessmen. Both met their future spouses while they were all scholars here at Southern. They will always remain a part of the fabric of our community.

Please take the opportunity to join me and other members of our campus community in honor and remembrance tomorrow at noon for the 2nd annual Paws and Reflect event, on the lawn between the Adanti Student Center and Earl Hall. There will be a short ceremony, followed by yoga with comfort dogs, including Southern’s own K9 Jules. You may also be interested in attending a related event, in which SCSU sophomore Nick Schettino will be the keynote speaker during an 8:30 a.m. ceremony at the Branford Fire headquarters, 45 N. Main Street. Nick’s grandfather was a dispatcher with the New York City Fire Department on 9/11. 

Twenty-three years later, these continue to be difficult times for our country. Many of us still struggle with immense loss, pain, and uncertainty. So I ask you to use this and subsequent anniversaries as motivation to speak out against hateful words and actions. Please continue to educate our scholars and others about our social justice values of diversity, compassion, and inclusiveness. In such ways, we can make our own contribution to creating a future built on peace and understanding for all.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dwayne Smith
Interim President