The pews were packed at Perkins Chapel on Monday for a service that commemorated the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11.
Dean William Lawrence of the Perkins School of Theology put the gathering, titled “A Service of Memory and Hope,” together. In his opening address, Lawrence emphasized the unity of the students, faculty and staff at SMU, saying that the event was put together in the hopes that it would provide “moments of memory and hope that bind those of us from all religions together.”
The interfaith service included readings from Hebrew and Christian Scriptures as well as the Quran. Liz Healy, student representative to the board of trustees, read the opening prayer and fellow student Mahnaz Rahman read the excerpt from the Quran.
Attendees also took part in several hymns and joint prayers with the readers, the last of which was lead by the Rev. Jeannie Trevino-Teddlie and incorporated several moments of silence.
University President R. Gerald Turner read a meditation on the events of 2001 and the years since. According to Turner, more than a thousand students gathered for a flagpole ceremony five years ago on the day of the attacks.
“One of the things I’m proudest of is the tremendous mobilization to ensure calm would prevail” on campus after the attacks, he said. “And it did.”
“It was important that in our state of shock, we had mutual support of each other,” he said, adding that the university offered counseling services for any students who felt they needed extra help coping with the tragedy. It affected students from “around the world and around the block,” he said.
But Turner also focused on the brighter side, saying the gathering was to remember the good that came from the attacks.”We’re remembering the unprecedented acts of heroism, patriotism and faith – that held our country together,” he said. “We hope the experiences of the past will lead to greater understanding,” he added.
Rahman, a senior pre-med and chemistry major and president of the Muslim Student Association, said the service blended the three religions well.
“It was interesting to see the Christian way of praying,” she said. She said that Healy contacted her about participating in the program and that she chose her own reading.”We’re trying to talk about patience and memory,” she said. “I found one [a quotation] about prophets and thought it tied in really well.”
Dr. William Finnin, university chaplain, said that the Chaplain’s Office was considering putting on a similar program.
“We had scheduled a flagpole gathering,” he said, but he canceled the plans after he learned Lawrence was planning a different event. “I’m so glad Dean Lawrence took the initiative and the President was available and we were able to use our resources” to put on the event, he said.
Students who attended appreciated the focus on diversity.”It was good to see everyone from a different religion,” said Senior psychology major Sarah Casson.
Fellow senior Katie Croft said she just wanted to honor victims of the attacks and those “who died to keep this country safe.”
