The State University of New York at Old Westbury community gathered on the morning of September 11, 2026, to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost and looking back a quarter century later on the resilience and service that marked that day and the days afterward.
University President Timothy E. Sams reflected on the significance of the anniversary and urged the nearly 100 participants present to make a conscious effort to talk more about 9/11 with the generations that have come after it, recognizing that they did not experience it firsthand and therefore may not fully grasp its lasting impact on our memories and psyche.
"As we think about how we talk to these generations about that day ... I encourage you to think about the role of peace and the necessity of peace," said Sams. "It strikes me that of everything that we can learn from that moment, it might be that the centrality of peace in the human pursuit of human harmony could have prevented that day, but most importantly, gives us a great orientation to honor those who lost their lives."
Held on the steps of the university's Student Union Building, the commemorative ceremony took place before two campus memorials. One is dedicated to all those who perished in the attacks and stands under two arborvitaes planted to represent the "Twin Towers" that once stood. The second, surrounded by flowering plants, remembers the five SUNY Old Westbury alumni who lost their lives that day:
- James J. Carson ’93 of Baldwin, New York
- Dennis Edwards, '88 of Massapequa, New York
- Wade Brian Green ’84 of Westbury, New York
- Joseph Maloney ’80 of Farmingville, New York
- Anthony Perez ’00 of Locust Valley, New York
In attendance for the morning’s program was Wilhelmina Green, mother of Wade Brian Green.
"As a parent, I ascribe to the notion that it's not natural that a parent should bury their child," Sams said to Green. "I can imagine that at moments it feels like yesterday. On behalf of our university, we not only honor your son; we appreciate that he chose our university as his institution of choice to provide him with his education, and we are even more honored with your presence today."
Organized by the campus’ University Police Department, the ceremony also recognized the sacrifices of first responders, health and safety personnel and all those who answered the call on September 11 and in the weeks and months that followed. In addition to Sams, speakers during the event included University Police Deputy Chief Renee Robinson and Director of the Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success Jennifer Jaikaran, while Purchasing Assistant Sheila Washington '16 performed "America the Beautiful."