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."
