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20 Years After 9/11

In Remembrance

By Duke University

September 9^th, 2021

Saturday, September 11, marks the 20th anniversary of one of the darkest days of American history. Many of us struggle to reconcile the events of that day even two decades later. Some at Duke lost loved ones or friends, but everyone was touched by scenes from New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

As the university community honors the nearly 3,000 lives lost to the 9/11 attacks, we use this as a moment of reflection, remembering the pain and confusion of a day that made the world pause. We also use this time to remember the six Duke alumni lost in the attacks as we gather to support each other through this day of remembrance.

Duke students and faculty gathered at noon outside the Chapel on September 12, 2001, to remember the victims of the plane crashes in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on September 11. Photo by Matt Barton/Duke Photography Duke Photography ©2001

Campus Scenes from 9/11

What began as a beautiful, sunny day like so many others quickly changed in the early morning hours of September 11 with the broadcast of the images of the four plane crashes and the collapse of the World Trade Center. At 8:46 a.m., the first plane struck the north tower of the World Trade Center and the nation came to a halt. Very quickly, the university community came together across the campus. The next day, members of the Duke community gathered in front of Duke Chapel to share their grief and offer support.

(Left to right) Dr. Lawrence Katz and Dr. Richard Mooney listened to speakers at Wednesday's Prayer Vigil at the Duke Chapel. Over two thousands students and faculty attended. Duke Photography ©2001

(L to R) Ebrahim Moosa, religion professor; Peter Burian, academic council chairman; Manisha Dostert, Duke's Lutheran students' vicar; Anne Hodges-Coffle, Duke's Episcopal students' vicar; and Abdul-Hafeez Waheed, Iman, adviser (Les Todd/Duke Photo)

Sheela Agrawal, junior from Swansea, Massachusetts comforts Katie Atlas, senior from Johnson, N.Y. Photo by Chris Hildreth ©2001 Duke University Photography

Barbara Culbertson of the Diet and Fitness Center stood by while Mab Segrest of the Focus program received a hug from Ivy Hooper of the ID Clinic. (Les Todd Duke Photography ©2001)

Recalling How We’ve Changed

In 2016, during the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we asked faculty how their scholarship was affected by the events. What had we learned since the attacks, and how had our daily lives changed as a result?

Hear their stories.

Hear more of these and other stories from the 15-year anniversary of 9/11 series

Remembering the Alumni We Lost

We remember the lives of the six Duke alumni killed in the attacks every year with a wreath placed on the memorial plaque in Keohane Quad.

Todd Rancke ’81 (World Trade South Tower)

Todd Rancke worked for Sandler O’Neill and Partners on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center. He was on the phone with his wife when the first plane hit the north tower. It is believed he stayed behind to help others. At the time of his death, he was survived by two daughters, a son, his wife, sisters and parents.

Michael Morgan Taylor ’81 (World Trade North Tower)

Michael Taylor was a bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of the North Tower. At the time of his death, he was survived by his parents, two sisters and brother.

J. Robinson “Rob” Lenoir ’84 (World Trade South Tower)

Rob Lenoir worked for Sandler O’Neill and Partners on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center. He made a call to his father to tell him he loved him and he was exiting the building. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, son, daughter, brother, sister and parents.

Peter Ortale ’87 (World Trade South Tower)

Peter Ortale worked on the 84th floor of the World Trade Center for Euro Brokers. He spoke to his wife and mother after the first plane hit the north tower. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, mother, sisters and brother.

Christopher Todd Pitman ’93 (World Trade North Tower)

Christopher Pittman worked on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center for Cantor Fitzgerald. At the time of his death, he was survived by a father and sister.

Frederick C. Rimmele III '94 (United Airlines Flight 175)

Frederick Rimmele was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175 on his way to a medical conference in Monterey, California. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Kimberly Trudel and family.

Join Us to Honor the Victims on Saturday September 11, 2021

Duke University Chapel will be leading the campus community in commemorating the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks through a series of events and actions that aim to remember the victims of the attacks, explore their ongoing effects, and seek hope.

Tolling of the Chapel Bells

The chapel carillon will ring in memory of the September 11 victims at the times of the attacks:

8:46 a.m. – when Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center
9:03 a.m. – when Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower
9:37 a.m. – when Flight 77 crashed into the side of the Pentagon
10:03 a.m. – when Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania

‘Remember and Hope’ Interfaith Vigil

Beginning at 10:04 a.m., faith leaders from across campus will lead a vigil on the steps of the chapel, which will include times of prayer, reading, and silent reflection. President Vincent E. Price will give welcoming remarks. People of any faith or no faith are welcome to join in this time of remembrance and hope.

‘Call and Response’ Photography Exhibition

Beginning at 10:04 and throughout the day, the chapel will be open to visitors to view an exhibition of photographs of past campus vigils and protests. Titled “Call and Response: Remembering Prayer, Protest, and Acts of Justice,” the exhibition includes “remember” buttons for visitors to take as a symbol for remembering the love and hope that have united us in times of personal and national loss and struggle.

‘Grant Us Peace’ Concert

At 7:30 p.m. in the chapel, Duke Chapel musicians and the Ciompi Quartet will perform compositions with themes of remembrance, peace and reconciliation by composers such as Joan Tower, Felix Mendelssohn, Shireen Abu-Khader, Ned Rorem, Ola Gjeilo and George Walker. The musical performances will be interwoven with poetic commentary. The concert, co-sponsored by Duke Arts, will be livestreamed on the Duke Chapel website.

20 Years After 9/11

In Remembrance

Students and alumni set off to Italy to build lifelong relationships by studying wartime camaraderie and combat

January 4^th, 2023

At the far side of America, students learn from the day that will live in infamy

March 31^st, 2022

Thank You Coach K

A look back at the year through our lens