College Relations
Vigil caps a day to remember
CONTACT --- Jim Glynn at 978-542-7519 or james.glynn@salemstate.edu
 SALEM, Mass. - About 150 students, faculty members and administrators gathered Wednesday outside the library for a candlelight vigil as the Salem State College community remembered victims of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.
"It was a somber day," said Bruce Perry, director of the Campus Center.
The vigil capped day-long events that started with a morning ceremony outside the Sullivan Building where members of the Army ROTC Honor Guard played taps and lowered the American flag to half-mast. "I think this was something we needed," said Pat Hanson who was one of about 200 members of the college community who attended the ceremony. "I was amazed at the turnout," she added. "They came from all of our campuses and I think we all felt that we had to do something. This reminded me how thankful we should be to live where we live."
Hanson added that College President Nancy Harrington led an emotional "Pledge of Allegiance" during the ceremony.
During the day, the Interfaith Center held a time for prayer and reflection while the college's Residence Hall Association conducted a community clean-up effort.
Later in the day, a special ceremony was held prior to the Salem State women's soccer game atAlumni Field. After a moment of silence was observed with both teams lined up across the field, Sarah Newcomb, a sophomore at SSC, sang the national anthem. Newcomb also sang at the vigil.
"The activities on campus were very successful," said Perry. "The response was greater than I had expected."
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