University of Cincinnati officials have announced a series of events and a permanent campus memorial to commemorate the tragedy of Sept. 11.

        Born out of discussions within UC president Joseph Steger's cabinet, the memorial is in the works and commemoration plans have been solidified.

        “All members of our university have been affected by this tragedy,” Dr. Steger said in a letter to the UC community. “At the same time, local events resulting from the April unrest in 2001 have fostered mistrust among many citizens in the Cincinnati area.”

        To bring the university and Greater Cincinnati community together, school officials will host a program called “Reflections on Sept. 11.” Artist renderings of the permanent memorial may be unveiled as early as Sept. 5, though the project will not be complete until fall 2003, said Ron Kull, associate vice president and university architect.

        Landscapers have already planted part of the memorial, which will be on the north end of McMicken Commons near old Campus Drive, part of which is now in a construction zone. Two large American elm trees will signify the World Trade Center towers and preliminary plans include a small granite sculpture, said Mitchel Livingston, UC's vice president for student affairs. A granite seat wall stretching 75 feet long will also be included.

        “We want to do things that are specific to campus, but on the other hand, we want to invite the community to participate,” he said.

        The unveiling is scheduled to be the first in a series of campus events to commemorate the worst tragedy ever on American soil. A week later, starting at midnight on Sept. 11, the Hillel Jewish Student Center, along with UC campus ministries, will host an all-night vigil called “Night Watch” that will include personal reflections, music and poetry readings. The public is invited to spend the night for the program inspired by the prophet Isaiah. It will end with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the exact moment the first jetliner crashed into the first tower of the World Trade Center.

        At about 10 a.m., participants will march north on Clifton Avenue and then back to campus to the College-Conservatory of Music plaza for a memorial service that will honor the victims of the attacks. The event will include a moment of silence and a selection of music played by a small group of students.

        Building on the themes of remembrance, reflection and reconciliation, the university will sponsor a program called Mending Fences on Oct. 1-2 at McMicken Commons. The construction fences around the commons will be transformed into a canvas where students, faculty and community members will be invited to create posters or leave messages.

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