Together in Unity and Remembrance: 25 Years After September 11
September 9, 2026
Dear Stony Brook Community,
As we mark the solemn 25th anniversary of September 11, many members of our community as well as people around the country and the world will pause to reflect on a defining moment in our nation’s history that tested our character and spirit. Through this reflection, we honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on that day, including 21 Stony Brook alumni whose legacies live on in their contributions to our community and in the memories of those whose lives they touched. We also express our deepest gratitude to the heroes, the first responders and everyday citizens who showed exceptional bravery on that day and those that followed, rushing into unimaginably dangerous conditions to help those in need.
This week, Stony Brook honors those we lost and reflects on this milestone anniversary with commemoration events taking place across our university. In keeping with our university tradition, on the morning of Friday, September 11, our West Campus bells will chime 21 times in a tribute to each alum we lost 25 years ago.
I also invite you to join our Stony Brook community and neighbors at the Memorial Stadium Climb at the Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on September 13, where we will climb the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center Towers together in a powerful tribute. This event is open to all university and community members. You can learn more about this event and additional ways to participate here. These commemoration events provide an opportunity for us to come together as a community in support of one another, and this unity is part of the unique Stony Brook spirit that defines this special university.
The devastating impact of September 11 remains in the hearts of those who lost loved ones that day or subsequently due to the attacks, and in the health of those affected by them. Today our medical teams are researching the long-term health degradation suffered by the September 11 first responders in order to find treatments that improve the health and quality of life for these courageous heroes. This work reflects our deep commitment to serve citizens across Long Island and New York State.
Our greatest strength as a community is our people, including our support and care for one another. Every day, I see this caring spirit in compassionate leaders and community members who lift one another up through every setback or loss.
Reflecting on September 11 evokes powerful emotions as we vividly remember how our world drastically changed on that day. This tragedy reshaped New York City, our region, and the entire country and in those challenging times, care and empathy brought us closer together. It is deeply inspiring to reflect on how our nation learned to heal from one of its greatest tragedies through deep human connection and understanding.
As we gather in remembrance, I encourage you all to support each other in honoring the lives lost and the brave heroes on that tragic day.
Sincerely,
Andrea Goldsmith
President