Owens Community College’s Student Government is inviting fellow students and employees, as well as area
residents, to join them on the Perrysburg Township and Findlay-area campuses and pay tribute to those
victims and heroes that lost their lives in the Sept. 11 tragedy eight years ago by participating in a
series of free community events on Friday.
"Owens Community College is encouraging community members to honor, not forget, those people who
lost their lives on that fateful Sept. 11 morning," said John Byers, Owens manager of student
activities. "Even eight years later, so many people’s lives are still affected by the attack that
day. We must do our part to respect, remember and honor our fellow American’s legacy and the fight for
freedom."
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., individuals will have the opportunity to view a memorial display in the College’s
Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda commemorating the eighth anniversary of the terrorist
attack.
The memorial display will include a floral arrangement as well as newspaper clippings and photos from the
tragic event. In an effort to fully honor and remember every victim of that day, a complete name listing
of those that perished will be on display. Visitors will also have the chance to leave their own
inspirational message and pick up one of 1,000 donated roses to present at the memorial as part of an
interactive exhibit titled "Where Were You." Additionally, literature detailing the new
National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center will be available to individuals at
the memorial display. Owens’ memorial display activities will conclude at 7 p.m.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the film "102 Minutes That Changed America" in
the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre. The 102-minute documentary film
depicts in virtually real time the New York-based events of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks primarily using
raw video footage from mostly amateur citizen journalists. Produced by the History Channel, the
documentary premiered in 2008. "102 Minutes That Changed America" will air continuously from
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition, Owens student Myrta Gschaar of Maumee will once again share the story about losing her
husband, Robert, as a result of the terrorist attacks on the second tower at the World Trade Center in
New York City. Gschaar will display an array of artifacts from Sept. 11, including a piece of steel from
the World Trade Center site that an artist handcrafted and sent to each victim’s family. The world
language concentration major will be sharing her message at the memorial display throughout the day.
Nationally-acclaimed filmmaker Jonathan Fein will also be on hand to discuss his documentary film
"About Objects and Memory" as part of a workshop presentation at 2 p.m. in the College’s
Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. Fein will highlight how ordinary everyday objects, ranging
from a twisted beam from 9/11 to a rusting dog tag from the Vietnam era, can take on a significant or
sentimental meaning to loved ones and society after traumatic events. At the workshop’s conclusion, a
free viewing of the film "About Objects and Memory" will take place at 5 p.m. followed by a
question-and-answer session with Fein.
On the Owens Findlay-area campus, employees and students, as well as members of the community, will
gather outside the Education Center at the flagpole to observe a moment of silence in honor of the
victims at 8 a.m. In addition, a video tribute will air throughout the day the college’s commons area.