Americans will never forget Sept. 11, 2001. The day's terrorist actions that claimed thousands of lives and decimated New York's symbolic World Trade Center (WTC) are forever entrenched in people's memories. Visitors to the University of Houston soon will have the opportunity to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on that fateful day and honor the fallen WTC.
UH's World Trade Center Memorial and Reflection Garden will officially open during a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m., Jan. 29 outside of the New University Center's south entrance. The memorial site (located outside of the New University Center's south entrance) hosts an actual steel beam from the fallen World Trade Center within a garden setting. This ceremony complements a host of other events celebrating the opening of the New University Center (UC).
Through the efforts of UH’s Student Government Association (SGA) and Division of Student Affairs, the University obtained this memorial structure from the New York and New Jersey Port Authority. The 3,888 pound piece of twisted steel measures 69.5 inches long and 39.5 inches wide.
"Hosting this memorial site is important because it spotlights an important moment in American history," said Keith Kowalka, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. "It also serves as a reminder to the campus community that America has a rich history of perseverance in the face of adversity."