As the tragedy of Sept. 11 recedes into the past, the word ‘remembrance’ has come to describe everything from religious ceremonies and artistic expression to gardening.

‘We were thinking of something to do as a positive response,’ said Mike Farrell, a forestry graduate student in the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, as he collected crops from the Sadler Residence Hall garden yesterday. ‘It’s a project that could bring people together.’

The garden, set alongside the dorm, was the response of Farrell and other Sadler residents to the attacks, and for two years has yielded a crop for the Annual Harvest Dinner and ceremony.

‘This garden is a memorial to [Sept. 11], but it’s also a memorial to life,’ said Gabriel Luber, a fellow farmer and sophomore environmental science and forestry major. ‘I think it’s just great that [Farrell] got it going.’

A ceremony will be held today at the garden at 6:15 p.m. with a speech by Father TIm Mulligan of the Alibrandi Catholic Center, followed by a dinner of eggplant parmesan, pesto and salad at 6:30 p.m. in Sadler.

The dinner is open to anyone and will cost $5 or count as a meal off the university meal plan.

According to organizers, other ceremonies will also focus on reflection and growth, rather than grief.

‘Last year, there was a week’s worth of activities around this particular day,’ said Ginny Yerdon, an administrative assistant at Hendricks Chapel. ‘This year we’re just doing this one service to keep it in the minds of everyone.’

Hendricks Chapel will host an Interfaith Service of Hope and Remembrance today at 4 p.m., and remain open throughout the day to students seeking a place for quiet reflection.

The service will offer readings, music, prayers and reflection by representatives from Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths, and the reading of the names of alumni and people associated with Syracuse University who died on Sept. 11.

Others are finding redemption in creation.

Haven Residence Hall will host a social and an open-mic night at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11 in the hall lounge, including the unveiling of a mural comprised of four double-sided panels to be placed in the lounge windows. The mural is meant to convey the emotions of the students, said Kelly Rodoski, communications manager for SU news services. The project was created by the 2001 Haven Hall Council and was completed in May with funds raised by students and donations, Rodoski said.

Light Work offers another opportunity to experience art created in the wake of the attacks. It currently exhibits ‘After 9/11,’ a collection of photographs taken by Nathan Lyons in New York City and across the state, said Anisha Joseph, promotions coordinator for Light Work.

‘This was Lyons’s personal response to the attacks,’ Joseph said. ‘He started taking pictures immediately after, and tried to capture people’s reactions.’

The exhibit can be viewed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Friday through Oct. 18, when the exhibit will begin a tour which includes stops in Mexico and France. The Light Work gallery is located in the Robert B. Menschel Media Center in Watson Residence Hall, on the side of the building facing Waverly Avenue.

Students agreed that acknowledging the anniversary was necessary, but disagreed on the manner and quantity of remembrance necessary.

‘I think we should be reminded of [Sept. 11] because it’s important for Americans,’ said Kathryn VanHorne, a sophomore interior design major. ‘We shouldn’t just forget it, but I don’t think we should dwell on it.’

Others thought more attention was appropriate.

‘There should be more stuff to remember it, but it’s difficult for everyone,’ said Kim Bersin, a sophomore environmental science and forestry major in ESF.

Published on September 10, 2003 at 12:00 pm