Members of the Iona community gathered in Romita Auditorium on Sept. 11 to remember those who lost their lives in the terror attacks that happened 19 years prior.

The memorial began with a gathering song played by the Iona College Pipe Band and a performance of the National Anthem by the Iona Singers.

Dr. Carl Procario-Foley, director of the Office of Mission and Ministry, gave the welcome speech, in which he introduced the religious speakers of the event: Mohamed Shaffieq Chace, an imam at the Islamic Center of New Rochelle, and Bishop Martin Nelson from Bezer Holiness Church. Procario-Foley also extended his regards and talked about the importance of community during events that impact people’s lives as much as 9/11 did.

Chace spoke first. He gave verses from Book 44, Hadith 3369 from the Quran.

Chace also pointed out the importance of taking grief and turning it into charity. He used the example of Hurricane Florence.

“We remember evil, so good may come,” Chace said.

Nelson spoke of the importance of both loving thy neighbor and volunteer work. He gave examples of his own time volunteering and encouraged others to do the same.

Madalyn Barbero Jordan, coordinator of arts programming for Iona’s Council on the Arts, sang an acoustic version of “Imagine” by John Lennon following Nelson’s remarks.

Junior Hannah McGowan, SGA president and campus minister, then gave a speech of remembrance geared toward the Iona alumni who died in the attacks, as well as the alumni who were first responders and have since passed away. She offered an opportunity for attendees to say the names of those that they wanted to remember as well.

Iona College President Dr. Joseph E. Nyre presented a bouquet of flowers with McGowan and senior Campus Minister Justin Pellegrino in honor of those fallen before he remarked on the memorial service and remembering those lost.

The closing of the ceremony also involved a speech from Pellegrino and a closing prayer from Fr. Gerard Mulvey, OFM Cap.

Pellegrino’s speech was a reminder that 9/11 is also a National Day of Service, and he encouraged everyone to get involved in the volunteer opportunities the Office of Mission and Ministry is offering this year.

The following Iona alumni were lost in 9/11 serving as first responders:

Thomas W. Hohlweck ’74MBA, Joseph P. Kellett ’96, Michael A. Lepore ’84, Laura M. Longing ’94MBA, Michael F. Lynch ’94 (FDNY), Francis N. McGuinn ’83MBA, Dennis P. McHugh ’90 (FDNY), Michael E. McHugh ’95, Robert McPadden ’99MS (FDNY), Diana J. O’Connor ’86MBA, Joseph R. Riverso ’91, Edward Ryan ’81, Joseph Spor ’88 (FDNY), Sean P. Tallon ’96 (FDNY), Joanna Vidal ’96, Lt.

We also remember those first responders that have since died:

Lt. Richard A. Nappi ’86 and Lt. Christopher M. Pupo ’95.