![Pat Croce, the former president of the Philadelphia 76ers, spoke at Thursday's ceremony honoring the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. [Lauren Karp/The Daily Pennsylvanian]](http://thedp.com/files/imagecache/article_250wide/paper882/stills/3bcbf2ca0d98b-44-1.jpg "Arman Anvari")
One month after they stunned the world, the Sept. 11 attacks once
again brought daily schedules to a halt, and for a few moments,
Penn students turned their thoughts from midterms and papers to
reflection and community.
On Thursday, the one-month anniversary of the attacks, students,
faculty and administrators gathered on College Green for
PennUnites, a ceremony organized by the Undergraduate
Assembly to remember the victims and to recognize the volunteer
efforts on campus.
"Our efforts have been a silver lining in what has otherwise been a
dark cloud of September 11," said College senior Dana Hork, who
spoke as both UA chairwoman and the founder of Change for
Change, the charity organization that coordinated the fundraising
efforts for the American Red Cross.
Eyes teared and bodies stood statue-like as people listened to
the Inspiration and the Glee Club present both emotional and
patriotic songs. Most members of the 300 person audience stayed
for the entire program, which lasted less than an hour.
University President Judith Rodin, the first speaker to address the
crowd, said the Penn community has "been united in grief and very
united in purpose."
In one month, students across campus planned charity events to
raise money for the American Red Cross.
"I am grateful for your kindness, your generosity and your
strength," Rodin said. "And I am incredibly proud of you."
Rodin asked for a moment of silence to remember the victims,
especially members of the Penn community who were lost in the
attacks. As of last Thursday, 12 Penn alumni have been confirmed
missing or dead.
"I think that the UA, along with President Rodin, has done an
extraordinary job of pulling us together as a nurturing community,"
Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum
said.
Other dignitaries on a makeshift stage on College Green included
Provost Robert Barchi, Executive Vice President John Fry and City
Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, who represents West
Philadelphia.
Students said they were touched by the ceremony and
appreciated that the University marked the one-month
anniversary.
"You can't go to New York and fix it -- the best you can do is come
here and keep all of this energy and bonding going that started on
September 11," said Ellen King, a first year Fels Center of
Government student. "I don't want that to go away just because it's
been a month. I don't want that to ever go away."
Omoiye Kinney, spokesman for the Southeastern Pennsylvania
American Red Cross, said Penn is unique for initiating fundraising
on its own and raising $25,000 in a short time.
"It's overwhelming," she said. "The students, faculty and staff,
everyone has been stepping up. The outpouring from this campus
has been tremendous."
Hork, representing the entire student body, presented the $25,000
Publisher's Clearinghouse-sized check to Frank Donaghue, chief
executive officer of Regional Red Cross.
"Penn was very much a part of everything that happened at
Ground Zero," Donaghue said. "This check is only a representative
of that."
Donaghue recounted talking to children who had lost parents, and
parents who had lost children, in the World Trade Center, saying
the past month has revealed humanity at its very best.
"It really boils down to one person wanting to help another
person," he said.
Pat Croce, former president of the Philadelphia 76ers, was
visiting campus to promote his new book and decided to make a
detour to speak at the event.
Croce advised students to enjoy the time they have on this
campus and on this earth, because, "as September 11 dictated to
us so clearly, you don't know how much time you have left."
"This is a special campus," he said during his brief remarks.
"Each of you has the power to be a great leader in this super
country of ours."
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