Hillsdale College Hosts Community Events Commemorating 9/11
The College hosted a student-led flag ceremony, a memorial stair climb, and a patriotic music performance.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College hosted several community events commemorating the 25th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Events included a student-led flag ceremony, a memorial stair climb, and a patriotic music performance titled “Spirit of America.”
“We were grateful to bring together firefighters, veterans, students, faculty, staff, and community members to commemorate the events of Sept. 11,” said Jeffery Rogers, associate dean of men. “This anniversary was an opportunity for our college and community to stand together, remember those who lost their lives, and honor the first responders who ran toward danger to save others. Scripture reminds us, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ Twenty-five years later, we remain committed to remembering their courage, honoring their sacrifice, and ensuring that what happened on Sept. 11 is never forgotten.”
“Twenty-five years later, we remain committed to remembering their courage, honoring their sacrifice, and ensuring that what happened on Sept. 11 is never forgotten.”
At noon, students hosted a ceremony at Hillsdale’s Civil War Statue. The event included the national anthem, prayer, a reflection by Hillsdale City firefighter Russ Picek, and a bell rung 25 times in recognition of the 25th anniversary.
In the evening, Hillsdale hosted a commemorative event at “Muddy” Waters Stadium honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters who died in the attacks. Local firefighters climbed up and down the stand in the football stadium for about 2,200 steps, representing the steps to the 110th stories of the World Trade Center Tower.
Community members were invited to walk the track in remembrance and view pictorial displays about 9/11. The event also included patriotic music and remarks by Captain Matt Halleck of the Hillsdale Fire Department.
The event began two years ago when Halleck coordinated with Rogers to hold a memorial stair climb in Hillsdale’s football stadium.
In the evening, Hillsdale hosted a performance titled “Spirit of America.” The performance featured trumpeter Chuck Seipp, a retired member of the United States Army Band, along with Craig Williams of the West Point Cadet Chapel on organ and piano. The duo performed a series of patriotic pieces, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “America the Beautiful,” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
- Photos from the events
- Photos of Hillsdale College
- High-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo
DATE: Sept. 14, 2026