September 11, 2001: Georgetown in the Aftermath

Online Exhibitions

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, began as a typical early fall day on campus. It was the 14th day of the semester and the 73rd day of President John J. DeGioia’s tenure. There were crystal blue skies with temperatures around 70°F at 8:45 a.m.

The North Tower of the World Trade Center was hit by American Airlines Flight 11 at 8:46 a.m. The South Tower was struck 17 minutes later by United Airlines Flight 175. And at 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. The Georgetown University community, like the rest of the nation, was profoundly stunned by these terrorist attacks.

Within an hour of the attack on the Pentagon, a team of Georgetown administrators, faculty, and staff convened to coordinate the University’s emergency response. Ryan DuBose (C’2002) and Brian Walsh (C’2002), President and Vice President of the Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA), were quickly integrated into these planning discussions. Beyond ensuring the safety and security of all campuses, the team focused throughout the following week on addressing the immediate emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of students, faculty, and staff. Central to this effort was fostering connection and creating opportunities for the community to come together for support, shared dialogue, and prayer.

Drawing on emails, official University statements, photographs, and other documentation from the Georgetown University Archives, this online exhibition chronicles the immediate reaction on campus to the tragic events of September 11—from the initial emergency response and the cancellation of classes to the series of vigils, prayer services, and dialogues that followed. Together, these documents illustrate a community coming together, seeking to mourn, to understand, and to support one another during a period of profound uncertainty. 
 

Print out of email message signed by John J. DeGioia. It begins "Today has been a tragic day around the nation."

“University Update.” Email from President John J. DeGioia to Faculty and Staff of Georgetown, 11:49 a.m., September 11, 2001

The first communication to faculty and staff after the attacks conveyed that classes would be cancelled at noon; non-essential staff encouraged to leave later that afternoon, although emergency personnel were asked to stay. Many of those leaving campus chose to walk in order to avoid public transportation.
 

Black and white photograph looking across the river to Virginia. Billowing white smoke can be sign rising from the Pentagon

View toward the Pentagon from the Murray Room on the 5th floor of Lauinger Library, September 11, 2001. Photograph by David Hagen

Black and white photograph showing the backs of Library staff standing at the windows of the Murray Room looking out toward the Pentagon

Library staff watch smoke from the Pentagon in the Murray Room on the 5th floor of Lauinger Library, September 11, 2001. Photograph by David Hagen

Printed text of message relaying available resources and and sources of support for students

Communication to students from Vice President of Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez, September 11, 2001

Vice President Juan Gonzalez was speaking at a staff meeting when he was informed of the attacks; Associate Director of Georgetown's Department of Public Safety Darryl Harrison took him aside to relay the news.
 

Print out of web page which carries the text of a letter from the University President which offers reassurance, states that classes will be held on September 12, and reports the death of Georgetown Professor Leslie Whittington.

Letter from University President John J. DeGioia, September 11, 2001

This letter reports the death of Professor Leslie A. Whittington. An Associate Professor of Public Policy and an Associate Dean at Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute (now the McCourt School of Public Policy), she was leaving for a sabbatical in Australia and was on Flight 77, along with her husband and daughters.
 

Printed text of September 11 announcement stating that classes would be suspended at noon, that a prayer service would be held and that counselling service were available.
Handwritten text of September 12 announcement written on blue paper. It states that the University is open and classes would be held.

Text of the recorded message on the University’s telephone information line, September 11 and September 12, 2001

On September 12, classes were resumed as University administrators wanted to offer students structure and their normal routine. Students were, however, assured in an email from Provost Dorothy Brown that faculty and academic deans would be supportive of any who wished to go home to be with their families or who needed to miss classes to attend to personal needs and responsibilities. 

Printed schedule of faculty speakers at the Day of Dialogue afternoon sessions. The location of ICC auditorium is handwritten at the top.
Black and white photograph of the Day of Dialogue evening session. It shows the stage in Gaston Hall with Professor Tony Arend at the podium and faculty members seated behind him.
Black and white photograph of the Day of Dialogue evening session. It shows the stage in Gaston Hall with Donald McHenry standing next to the podium and Carol Lancaster seated next to him.

Day of Dialogue schedule and photographs, September 12, 2001

Students and faculty were invited to discussions held in the ICC auditorium on September 12 about the events of the previous day. Faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Foreign Service offered responses and initiated dialogue. The event extended into the evening with a 7:30-9:30 p.m. event in Gaston Hall led by faculty members including former U.N. Ambassador Donald McHenry, Professors Michael Brown and Audrey Cronin from the Center for Peace and Security Studies, and Carol Lancaster, Director of the Master of Science in Foreign Service program.
 

Print out of email listing locations of counseling services on campus and directing people wishing to donate blood to the Red Cross website

“Counseling sessions and blood donations.” Email from the Georgetown University Medical Center to faculty and staff, September 12, 2001

Large numbers of students, staff, and faculty offered to donate blood at the Georgetown University Hospital on September 11 but the Hospital was unable to accept donations because of a shortage of staff. Donors were directed downtown or asked to return later in the week.

In the days following the attacks, student volunteers coordinated with the National Headquarters of the Red Cross to organize blood donation drives across campus. When on-campus donation sites reached capacity, vans were mobilized to transport students to other donation sites. 
 

Flyer printed on orange page with black text. It lists the location of prayer services on campus and begins with the text : In time of crisis we come together as a community, lend support to each other, lift our voices in prayer.

Flyer for evening prayer services, undated but likely from September 12, 2001

Cover of student newspaper. It features white text on a black background and shows an outline of a white plane and the date September 11, 2001.

Cover of the Georgetown Voice, September 13, 2001

Color photograph showing a GU Department Public Safety police car parked in front of closed gates at the main University entrance. The north end of Healy Hall with a blue "Georgetown Forever" banner on it, can be seen in the background

Security measures at the main gates of Georgetown University, September 13, 2001

As news of the attacks broke, the main University gates were closed and the University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) quickly began manning all entrances to campus, stopping cars and pedestrians to verify a University association. No cars without a University parking permit, other than delivery vehicles, were allowed onto campus. DPS officers began operating on 12 hour shifts.

Color photograph showing Copley lawn with White-Gravenor Hall in the background and the flag pole and the flag at half-staff in the foreground.

Flag on Copley Lawn at half-staff, September 13, 2001

Color photograph showing two yellow ribbons tied in bows in the front gates of the University. The gates are closed and Healy Hall can be seen in the background.

Yellow ribbons on the closed front gates of the University, September 13, 2001

In remembrance and solidarity, students wore yellow ribbons and also hung them throughout campus.
 

Front cover of program.
Page two of program with the text of a statement by the IFC about the attacks.
Page three of program with the Order of Service including a welcome by President John J. DeGioia.
Page three of program with a continuation of the Order of Service.
Page five of the program with the text of a responsive reading.
Page six of the program with words and music to "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" and "Ubi Caritas."
Page seven of the program with the words and music to "America the Beautiful."
Page page of the program with information about the Twenty-Second InterFaith Concert to be held on November 6, 2001.

Program from the Interfaith Prayer Service in Gaston Hall, September 13, 2001

The service, sponsored in partnership with the InterFaith Conference (IFC) of Metropolitan Washington, commemorated the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and their families. In addition to President John J. DeGioia, participants included: Rev. Adam E. Bunnell, OFM Conv, Georgetown University Chaplain; Bishop Jane Dixon, acting Episcopal Bishop of Washington; Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain at Georgetown; Rabbi Fred Reiner, President of the Washington Board of Rabbis; Rajwant Singh, DDS, Executive Director of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation; and D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams.

 

Print out of from the GU website of the text of the remarks.
Print out of from the GU website of the text of the remarks.

Remarks delivered by President John J. DeGioia at the Interfaith Prayer Service in Gaston Hall, September 13, 2001

Color photograph of three people holding hands, two of whom have their eyes closed.
Color photograph taken from the back of Gaston Hall looking toward the stage. It shows seated attendees holding hands across the aisle, with participants on the stage seen in the background.

Photographs of the Interfaith Prayer Service in Gaston Hall, September 13, 2001

Left, Bishop Jane Dixon, acting Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Rev. Adam E. Bunnell, OFM Conv, Georgetown University Chaplain, and Rajwant Singh, DDS, Executive Director of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation pray. Right, worshippers at the service hold hands.
 

Newspaper article which includes two photographs of vigil participants.

“GU campus gathers to show solidarity - Students of different faiths display unity in time of mourning.” Coverage of a vigil held on September 12, Georgetown Voice, September 13, 2001

Printed statement with a blue Georgetown University News heading

Statement from Georgetown University about the September 14 National Day of Prayer, September 13, 2001

Printed schedule of events including peace banner painting, Red Cross blood drive, Requiem of the Bells, and worship services.

"Today at Georgetown University," Friday, September 14, 2001

Color newspaper photograph showing people gathering on campus wearing raincoats and carrying umbrellas.

National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, September 14, 2001. Photograph from The Hoya, September 18, 2001

All classes on the main campus ended at 11:50 a.m. on September 14. Hundreds gathered outside in silence amid a light rain. At noon, the bells of Healy Hall tolled, signaling campus to observe a moment of silence to honor the victims of the attacks. 

Print out of statement on the GU website, page 1.
Print out of statement on the GU website, page 2.

"Viewpoint from University President John J. DeGioia," September 14, 2001

Color photograph showing a row of decorated bedsheets hung on a stone wall.
Color photograph showing a decorated bedsheet with the words "We are all one - United we stand."
Color photograph showing a row of decorated bedsheets hung on a stone wall.
Color photograph showing a row of decorated bedsheets spelling on the word "Peace" hung on a stone wall.
Color photograph showing a decorated bedsheet with the phrase "God Bless America." wall.

Banners on campus, September 15, 2001

Students hung American flags from dorm windows and off-campus houses and decorated bedsheets with messages of support, unity, and patriotism.
 

Black and white photograph showing students who are holding candles sitting around the edges of the Quadrangle.
Black and white photograph showing students who are holding candles sitting in the Quadrangle on the steps of Old North.

Candlelight vigil in the Quadrangle, September 15, 2001

Print out from the GU website listing telephone numbers for American Airlines and United Airlines and World Trade Center businesses.
Print out from the GU website listing telephone numbers for World Trade Center businesses continued, Marriott New York, New York emergency personnel, Pentagon, cell phone/pager tracker for victims, New York hospital, and local hospitals.
Print out from the GU website listing telephone numbers for Transit, FEMA, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Justice Department, Millennium Cluster, and NYC Relief Fund.

Information Hotlines and Websites, Georgetown University website, September 19, 2001 update

List of 21 names

"In Memory of the members of the Georgetown Family who perished in the national tragedy of Tuesday, September 11, 2001"

Page one of a Georgetown Magazine article with a brief biographies of Lisa Joy Raines and Sandra Teague.
Page two of a Georgetown Magazine article with a brief biographies of Leslie Whittington, Stephen Cangialosi, Joseph Eacobacci, Thomas Gavin, Sara Manley Harvey, Matthew Leonard, and Daniel McNeal.
Page three of a Georgetown Magazine article with a brief biographies of Jason Sabbag, Joseph P. Shea, and Patrick Sullivan. Also survivor stories from Allison Gilbert Weintraub and Margaret Pepe.
Page three of a Georgetown Magazine article with survivor stories from Paul Grespo, Michael Karch, Ralph Morales, Jack Ciak, and Serai D. Rakgoasi.

“Memorial to September 11th Victims.” Georgetown Magazine, winter 2002

Acknowledgments

Curated by Lynn Conway, Georgetown University Archivist