SMU community gathers for Sept. 11 anniversary

The mood was somber but filled with messages of hope andstrength as students and faculty members gathered on Thursday nightin the Rotunda at Dallas Hall for a Sept. 11 service ofremembrance.

The service began with a moment of silence for the victims ofthe attacks, followed by a musical call to remembrance by theSeminary Singers, directed by Dr. Michael Hawn. Student BodyPresident Thomas Kincaid led a prayer, and SMU President R. GeraldTurner recited Psalm 46, proclaiming hope.

“It is important and appropriate that the universitycommunity gather to remember both the trouble and the triumph oftwo years ago,” Kincaid said.

An outer and inner circle of students, faculty and staff stoodaround the seal at the center of the Rotunda. The inner circlemembers each said The International Prayer for Peace, “MayPeace Prevail Across the Earth.” Each member said the prayerin a different language, including Greek, French and Danish, torepresent all the cultures affected by the tragedy.

President Turner expressed the importance of how students joinedtogether on campus on Sept. 11 and how members of the SMU communitycould reflect on the tragedy and draw strength from one another bycoming together on this anniversary.

The service concluded with a prayer from Chaplain Will Finninfor peace and hope on campus and in the country.

Many students felt this service was a way to come together andremember the victims of the attacks.

Sophomore corporate communications and public affairs major LilyIngram said, “This service was a time for reflection. It wasimportant to have students come together and remember the victims.I feel that this service represents how tight-knit our SMUcommunity is.”