Image

Long before she arrived at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Bianca Hayles ’27 knew she wanted to use the law to create meaningful change in her community.

For Bianca Hayles, becoming a lawyer has never been just about building a career—it has always been about creating opportunities for others. As a first-generation college student, she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice before gaining professional experience as a paralegal and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professional. Now, as a full-time JD candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, she is building on that foundation with a clear goal: to become a powerful advocate and problem solver for those who need it most. “I want to be an amplifier, advocate, and problem solver within my community—using the law as a tool to create meaningful change,” she shares.

“Growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, alongside my mother and my autistic brother, has shaped my perspective and deepened my commitment to making a positive impact,” Bianca explains. These experiences instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility and passion for justice early on.

As a New York native who hopes to give back to the state where she grew up, and as someone who aspires to be a litigator, Bianca believes there is no better law school for her than Haub Law. “It has a nationally ranked advocacy program and professors who are making significant strides in the fight for access to justice,” she notes. “These reasons, along with the generous financial aid package I received, made Haub Law a perfect choice for me.”

Since starting at the Law School, Bianca has fully embraced both the academic and experiential opportunities available to her. She has gained hands-on experience through internships, externships, and at a private law firm. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasizes the value of exploring different paths within the legal field. “I can confidently say that I have had a rich experiential learning experience, which has allowed me to sharpen my existing skills, develop new ones, and gain clarity about the type of attorney I would like to be.”

I can confidently say that I have had a rich experiential learning experience, which has allowed me to sharpen my existing skills, develop new ones, and gain clarity about the type of attorney I would like to be.

—Bianca Hayles '27

Equally important to Bianca’s experience is the strong sense of community she has found at Haub Law. From faculty and staff to her peers, she describes an environment defined by support, connection, and genuine investment in student success. “There isn’t a day that goes by when I walk the halls of the Law School without feeling the love and support that surrounds me. I feel an overwhelming sense of connection. My peers bring me so much joy, laughter, and camaraderie, while my professors invest their time in getting to know me beyond the classroom. I wouldn’t trade my community here for anything.”

Prior to starting at Haub Law, Bianca participated in the Judicial Institute’s New York Legal Education Opportunity Program, which helps bridge the gap for students who may not have access to mentorship within the legal profession while also introducing foundational concepts for first-year coursework. It was through this program that Bianca found an invaluable mentor in Visiting Assistant Professor Salihah Denman. “Her unwavering support and guidance have been essential as I navigate the challenges of being a first-generation Black law student. I frequently turn to her for advice as I tackle the complexities of this journey,” she shares.

A dedicated student leader, Bianca has served as President of both the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and the Public Interest Law Student Organization (PILSO), where she has worked to build community and create opportunities for her peers.

Looking ahead, Bianca aspires to become a litigator while also establishing a nonprofit dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth in her community. Grounded in her own experiences and driven by a commitment to service, she is determined not only to succeed, but to uplift others along the way.

“I have been fortunate to receive mentorship and kindness from individuals who recognized my potential, and I believe it’s my duty to give back and invest in the next generation.”

Image

A seasoned nonprofit leader, Anne Sekula ’28 is leveraging the FLEX JD program to pursue a long-held goal—using the law to advance policy, support communities, and create lasting change.

For Anne Sekula, the decision to pursue a law degree was shaped by a lifetime of service, resilience, and a deep commitment to justice. Growing up on a dairy farm in rural Virginia as the youngest of seven girls, Anne was raised in a family that valued education and hard work. While most of her siblings became teachers and her mother put her own career on hold to raise seven children, education remained a priority. “I was always interested in justice, but didn’t think I could afford to attend law school,” Anne reflects.

After college, Anne built a career rooted in service—first as a social worker supporting single mothers and children experiencing homelessness, and later in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. She went on to earn a Master’s in Education from Harvard and spent years working on issues ranging from education reform to workforce development and domestic violence. But over time, she found herself wanting to do more.

“I became frustrated advocating for policy and public funding and seeing well-supported, evidence-based efforts fall off legislative and philanthropic agendas,” she explains. “I realized I didn’t have the specific skill set needed to move that work forward.”

A move to New York presented the opportunity for a mid-career transition, and law school became the next step in her journey—one that would allow her to combine policy work with direct client advocacy and gain the legal tools needed to create lasting change. Haub Law’s FLEX JD program made that transition possible. At the time she applied, Anne was balancing a consulting practice, a busy family life, and significant geographic constraints. “I needed a program that gave me flexibility so I could continue working, parenting, and still spend time with my spouse—and sleep,” she says. “The Law School’s FLEX JD program allowed me to choose a mix of day and evening classes that fit my schedule, while still leaving room for family time and volunteer and research opportunities.”

Since enrolling, Anne has found the program both rigorous and manageable. “I’ve been able to take just one fewer class each semester than my full-time peers, while still dedicating about 45 to 60 hours a week to school,” she notes. “In my second and third years, I’ve also been able to limit my time on campus to just a few days a week by combining day and evening classes. Pace has made that process very seamless.”

Beyond the flexibility, Anne has fully embraced the academic and experiential opportunities available at Haub Law. She has participated in the Pace Women’s Justice Center Family Court Legal Program, gaining hands-on courtroom experience while supporting low-income clients navigating complex family law matters. She has also pursued internships aligned with her interests in public interest and reproductive justice law, including work with a law firm and as a policy analyst for a national association of governors.

Anne also joined Pace Law Review during her 2L year and will serve as Editor-in-Chief in her final year, an achievement she sees as especially meaningful for part-time students. “We are committed to making Law Review flexible enough to accommodate part-time students so they also have the opportunity to pursue scholarly work within a busy schedule,” she says.

In the classroom, Anne has found inspiration in faculty who bring real-world experience into their teaching. She notes that Professor Jessica Miles has been a particularly impactful mentor. “She had a long-term practice in family and domestic violence law and is writing the casebook on domestic violence now. Learning directly from her has been amazing.” Equally important has been the sense of community she has found among her peers, particularly through organizations like the Public Interest Law Students Organization and Older Wiser Law Students. For Anne, these connections reinforce a shared commitment to practical, community-centered lawyering.

Looking ahead, Anne hopes to build a career in reproductive justice, combining policy development with litigation to support individuals, physicians, and organizations working to ensure access to care. “I hope to become involved in litigation supporting efforts to provide safe and accessible reproductive healthcare,” she says. At the same time, she remains deeply committed to public interest work more broadly, including supporting survivors of domestic violence through organizations like the Pace Women’s Justice Center.

Reflecting on her journey, Anne offers simple but powerful advice: “You don’t need to wait 25 years to return to law school—but it’s never too late. And don’t shortcut the work. Read the cases, brief them, and build your understanding step by step.”

For Anne, the FLEX JD program has made it possible to pursue a long-held goal while continuing to balance the many roles that define her life. In doing so, she is not only building a new career, but expanding the ways she can make a lasting impact.

Image

For Joe Ruhl '90, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law was where a lifelong dream of becoming an attorney became reality. More than three decades later, his daughter, Sophie, is beginning her own legal journey at the very same institution.

Although their experiences are separated by 35 years, the values that first drew Joe to Haub Law continue to define the Law School today: a close-knit community, dedicated faculty, meaningful mentorship, and a commitment to preparing students for successful legal careers.

"To say I was proud would be an understatement," Joe said of Sophie's decision to attend his alma mater. "It's always an honor when your child decides to follow in your professional footsteps, but there's something incredibly special about them doing it at the exact same school you attended. It has also brought back a flood of wonderful memories from my own days at the Law School."

For Joe, the decision to attend law school was years in the making. "From as early as I can remember, I wanted to be an attorney," he recalled. "In my view, it was the noblest of professions—one requiring a unique blend of intellect, commitment, integrity, and grit."

A Westchester native, he was drawn to the Law School’s distinguished faculty, growing reputation, and strong alumni network. "As a Westchester native, the Law School felt like a natural fit from the start," he said. "What truly cemented my decision was the exceptional local alumni network. I looked up to several law school graduates as mentors, and seeing their success firsthand made it clear that the Law School was the perfect environment to ground my roots and launch my legal career."

Image

Joe's time at the Law School laid the foundation for a distinguished career that began in private legal practice before leading him into banking, where he now serves as Senior Executive Vice President, Regional President for Westchester County, and Chief Deposit Officer at Orange Bank & Trust Company. Along the way, he has remained deeply connected to his alma mater, serving on the Alumni Board and, in 2026, receiving the Distinguished Service Award at the Law School’s annual Leadership Awards Dinner in recognition of his professional accomplishments and enduring commitment to the Haub Law community.

His law school memories, however, are defined less by accolades than by the people who shaped his experience. "My law school experience was outstanding and unforgettable," he said. "Beyond the rigorous academics, I formed deep-seated relationships with my classmates, many of whom remain an integral part of my life today as close friends, confidants, and trusted advisors."

When it came to deciding where to study, my decision to choose Haub Law was deeply influenced by my father.

—Sophie Ruhl '27

Joe’s experience left a lasting impression on Sophie long before she submitted her own law school application. "When it came to deciding where to study, my decision to choose Haub Law was deeply influenced by my father," she said. "He has always spoken highly of the people he met during his own time there, and he constantly talks about how the community and the rigorous preparation shaped the professional he became. Seeing how much he values that foundation made me want that exact same experience."

So, when it came to choosing where to study, Haub Law was the clear choice for Sophie. “I knew I wanted an environment where I wouldn't just be a number in a lecture hall,” Sophie said. “The close-knit community here offered exactly that, a tight, supportive environment where I could build meaningful connections. The local alumni are also invested in mentoring students, which was a major factor in my decision to attend."

Now a rising third-year student, Sophie has fully immersed herself in the Law School's nationally recognized advocacy program. A member of the Law School's nationally recognized advocacy program, she has competed in various mock trial and appellate advocacy competitions. She currently serves as a Mock Trial Director on the 2026–2027 Law School Advocacy Honor Board, helping mentor fellow students while continuing to develop the courtroom and advocacy skills that first drew her to law school.

"Starting in January on the accelerated track was an intense introduction, it completely immersed me in the law," she said. "A major highlight of my time here has been my involvement in advocacy, specifically mock trial, where I've had the opportunity to serve as a director."

While much has changed since Joe graduated in 1990, both Joe and Sophie agree that the essence of the Haub Law experience has remained remarkably consistent.

"As I watch Sophie prepare for her mock trial competitions, I am reminded of my own early steps into the courtroom," Joe said. "The challenge of mastering a complex case, balancing the facts and the law from both sides, is as demanding as it is exhilarating."

For Sophie, those conversations have become one of the unexpected joys of attending the same law school as her father. "Throughout my experience at law school, I have utilized my father as a resource," she said. "During the steep learning curve of my first-year introductory courses, my father was a great resource to assist with the complexity of the legal concepts I was trying to grasp. During my second year, he was most helpful with helping me craft a schedule I feel confident in. Having him as a sounding board has been an incredible asset and I am immensely grateful."

Although they did not share the same professors, they have discovered a common language through advocacy. "While the professors and classes have changed, the core experience of Haub Law is exactly the same," Sophie said. "Hearing my father talk about the adrenaline rush of his first trials perfectly mirrors what I feel in mock trial right now. It's given us this incredible common ground, and his own stories of trial work have undoubtedly inspired some of my style and approach in the courtroom."

That continuity is part of what Joe appreciates most as he watches the next generation of Haub Law lawyers emerge. "It is incredible to witness how much the Law School has grown and evolved since I graduated in 1990," he said. "Whenever I meet Haub Law graduates, it serves as a powerful reminder of how fortunate I am to be part of such a prestigious and impactful alumni network."

Whenever I meet Haub Law graduates, it serves as a powerful reminder of how fortunate I am to be part of such a prestigious and impactful alumni network.

—Joe Ruhl '90

For both Joe and Sophie, Haub Law represents more than a shared alma mater. It is a place where one generation launched a distinguished legal career and another is just beginning.

When the unthinkable happened on the morning of September 11, 2001, members of the Pace Community rose to the occasion. Their courage demonstrated the very best of Pace—the service, selflessness, and strength in unity that set our community apart. Today, several families of those directly affected by the events of September 11 uphold their loved ones’ legacies by giving back to Pace—supporting the students who bring our University to life and the mission at the heart of everything we do.

The Marijo L. Russell O’Grady, PhD, Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Lynne V. Byrne Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund were established to honor two former Pace administrators and fierce student advocates who helped lead Pace’s student-first response to the tragic events of September 11. Powered by the generosity of their families and friends, these scholarships honor the memories of Marijo and Lynne by supporting the community to which they devoted so much of their energy, wisdom, and compassion.

You can support the Marijo L. Russell O’Grady, PhD, Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Lynne V. Byrne Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund by clicking the links below.

• Support the Marijo L. Russell O'Grady, PhD, Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Support the Lynne V. Byrne Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, Pace alumni reflect on the moments, images, and emotions that have stayed with them. Their accounts capture the day from many perspectives, from students living and studying in lower Manhattan to alumni serving the city in the years that followed, and offer a deeply personal record of how September 11 shaped their lives long after the day itself.

Read Their Reflections

• Anthony Reinhart '05
• Marianne Cala-Perkins '03
• Michael Duffy '01
• Brynn Fallah '05
• Charles Binder '86
• James O'Sullivan '98
• Crystal Hartley '05

Anthony Reinhart '05

Each and every moment exists as if it were yesterday. There's the moment I first heard the sirens. The moment I looked out my 13th floor window in Maria's Tower at the crystal clear blue sky and saw cars pulled over on the Brooklyn Bridge, people staring up past my residence hall room at something with fright. Then there's the moment I turned the corner on my floor, looked out another window, and set my eyes on that tower—just blocks away—engulfed in flames, debris floating through the sky toward us. Wondering, "What happened?" Thinking, "That's going to be one huge hole tomorrow."

I can never forget the screams of my fellow floormates as the second Tower was hit and running down to the 12th floor, staring out the window in Kristen and Krystal's room. Unable to comprehend all that was happening, I actually shuffled over to my first class of the day—math on the 3rd floor. Students lined the hallway, looking out the windows in disbelief. I soon decided to return to the residence hall.

A short bit later, there was Dean Marijo Russell-O'Grady, maintaining her forever calm self, standing at the Security station of the Spruce Street entrance. Krystal and I went to step out onto Spruce Street. We didn't know it then, but at that moment the first tower collapsed. A stampede of people rushing out of Pace combined with a rush of people running down Spruce Street instantly separated us. I can still picture a guy on Spruce Street turning to me and saying "The top of the building fell off," and the one who ran full speed right into a parking meter as he raced against the cloud.

Then the miracle I experienced that day—my guardian angel placing my dad right there, at Gold and Spruce, at the very moment my 17-year-old self arrived at that corner.

Then the miracle I experienced that day—my guardian angel placing my dad right there, at Gold and Spruce, at the very moment my 17-year-old self arrived at that corner. There's the fear I had as we stepped onto the Manhattan Bridge, and the sadness as we watched the second Tower fall. There is the street corner in Brooklyn where we stopped to join a crowd gathered around a car to hear the radio, unsure if more planes were out there. Having walked for miles, the payphone we used to call my grandparents; and the moment they arrived, Nana with tears in her eyes, as they drove us back to their house. Watching the news reports, in total disbelief of what we had been witness to that morning, and then starting to realize that so many heroes ran into those buildings, never to walk out. The shock of hearing how much death and destruction had been caused.

They say never forget. I won't forget. I can't forget. It's there. Seared in my memory. Forever.

Back to Top

Marianne Cala-Perkins '03

I had just started an MBA program at Pace. It was my second day of classes. I got off the subway at Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall on the 4/5 line at around 8:40 a.m. and realized that I took the wrong exit at the platform. It took me a minute to realize where I was. I saw Pace University and was about to cross the street when I heard the explosion.

I immediately looked up and saw what appeared to be an outline of a plane in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. I remember the shocked expressions of those pedestrians around me. I stood there for several minutes just watching papers flying out of the North Tower. I remember hearing sirens and seeing a fire truck go down the street I was about to cross.

I proceeded to Pace University and students in the hallways were talking about the plane that just hit the World Trade Center. I walked to my international business class and then got word that another plane had just hit the World Trade Center. Some of the students seemed calm while others were visibly shaken and left. Then our professor walked in. I don’t remember her name, but what I do remember was that she was trying to stay calm. She told us she would not be teaching today and would just go over the syllabus and the goals of the course. She made it clear to us that we could leave if we want. She ended the class very early.

I walked out of the classroom into the hallway unsure of what to do. Immediately, I saw a student run up to another student and say that a plane had hit the Pentagon. I stopped because I saw people in a room standing around a television. The headline was “America Under Attack.” I started watching amongst the crowd. After a number of minutes, I felt the building vibrate and I could hear someone say “What was that?” Which was exactly what I was thinking. Then someone screamed, “The World Trade Center just fell!” That moment was the most frightful moment of the day for me. I had no idea what was about to happen to the rest of lower Manhattan.

Within a few seconds, a man instructed everyone to head down to the basement and we all started to take the stairs down. To this day, I do not know that man’s role at Pace University but I remember that he was calm and authoritative. We all headed to the basement where I spent the next few hours. There was a television in the basement and we learned the subway lines were all suspended. I wasn’t able to get home to Astoria, so I called home (collect) as soon as I could get to a payphone. My father was home and I let him know that I was okay and would wait until the subway lines were running to head home. I went to the cafeteria to get something to eat for lunch and I remember seeing members of the FDNY quietly eating lunch.

I will always remember Pace University opening up its cafeteria to the FDNY, the moments of silence my professors held almost two weeks later when classes resumed and last but not least, how Pace University helped me feel safe and secure on that terrifying day.

Pace University gave out face masks and I still have mine from that day. I got home around 5:30 p.m. and soon after, my family and I ate our dinner in disbelief and shock from the day that would change our country forever. When I think of September 11, like most New Yorkers and Americans, I think of the fear and shock, the tragic loss of lives, and the subsequent grief. But I will always remember Pace University opening up its cafeteria to the FDNY, the moments of silence my professors held almost two weeks later when classes resumed and last but not least, how Pace University helped me feel safe and secure on that terrifying day.

Back to Top

Michael Duffy '01

It was a beautiful blue sky day. I was working for Oxford University Press at 35th and Madison. When both planes hit, I walked down to 5th Avenue to watch the scene unfold, and then solemnly walked over the 59th Street Bridge into Queens.

Walking across the bridge with the smoke of the collapsed buildings in the distance, I looked down at the t-shirt I wore that day after taking my work shirt off. Printed on the t-shirt was the Twin Towers, for the Yankees-Mets Subway Series.

I went to bed that night not expecting to wake up the next day. But when I did, I couldn’t come to terms. On 9/11, I felt out-of-body and dissociated. It didn’t occur to me that people had died, that the planes and buildings were occupied; like no one ever walked into the buildings.

It’s 20+ years later, and I just haven’t come to grips with it. I have suffered from survivors’ guilt. I couldn’t listen to planes overhead. NYC is difficult for me to visit. But I have been to the 9/11 Memorial and it’s a beautiful display of emotion. The fountains are a good representation of the people and their memory. I send love to everyone affected, always.

Back to Top

Brynn Fallah '05

September 11, 2001 was my second day living in NYC and attending Pace. I had spent my freshman year at a rural school in Pennsylvania and transferred to Pace my sophomore year to stretch my life experience and have full access to the city while getting an education. I didn’t get housing, so I commuted from Connecticut my first couple of weeks. My dad and I finished moving me into an apartment on the corner of John and Gold the night of September 9 and so I began my independent journey as a New Yorker.

The morning of 9/11 I didn’t hear a thing but my phone ringing repeatedly. It was a friend checking in to see if I was okay. We got cut off. Phone lines were such a mess that day. I showered quickly and had a rock in my stomach. I didn’t have internet or a TV yet so I had no idea what was going on. I threw on some clothes and went outside to see the Towers standing, but burning. My 19-year-old mind could not comprehend. Could anyone’s?

At first we all thought it was a horrible accident. People who weren’t right there had more access to news and information than we did. I hadn’t made friends at school yet, so I had no one to go to or be with. The impact of being alone and so deeply fearing for my life and the lives of others has stayed with me 25 years later.

The impact of being alone and so deeply fearing for my life and the lives of others has stayed with me 25 years later.

I fled when the Towers fell. Everything went dark and I ducked into a building lobby. Eventually I found my way back to my own building and I stayed there for much of the day. That evening I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to a friend’s cousin’s home, who I had never met. The next morning, my dad came to get me and we stayed in Connecticut until Pace reopened. We were so hopeful that Pace would be used as a triage for survivors. We now know how few were ever found, of course.

I never recovered if I’m being honest. That year I barely went to class, I barely slept, I never took public transportation out of fear of other attacks, and I didn’t make any friends. I’ll never know why and will always regret that I didn’t ask for help at school. Now I know I was experiencing PTSD, but I was full of shame because there were so many others who were impacted more than I was.

I graduated in 2005 and did get myself into therapy to recover from that trauma. My degree was in applied psychology and human relations, and I proceeded to get a master’s degree from Hunter in school counseling. Today I coach districts and schools in Delaware to integrate mental health and social emotional learning into a multi-tiered system of support framework. I collaborate with state leaders to prioritize trauma training to support all students statewide. Thanks for letting me share my story.

Back to Top

Charles Binder '86

I was 11 years into my career with the US Coast Guard Reserve, stationed at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. On September 12, I was called up to active duty which would ultimately last for two years. During that time I was assigned to the new Sea Marshall Program to intercept vessels that may have been involved with illicit cargo, human trafficking, and other security risks to inspect them with a tactical team and either clear them or refuse entry into the Port of NY and NJ.

After being discharged, I was selected for the new Intelligence Specialist rating to use my skills to ascertain various threats to the port. I eventually retired as a Chief Intelligence Specialist after serving 25 years. The last 15 years of that career was changed dramatically due to the events and subsequent reaction to 9/11 in ways that I had never imagined.

Back to Top

James O'Sullivan '98

I was a police officer assigned to the Bronx. I was off that day living at home when my father came in and said "They crashed a plane into the World Trade Center.”

I got up and put the TV on in time to see the second plane hit. I knew it was bad. I reported to work and wound up going down to the site later that evening. I remember how everything was covered in ash and how quiet it was, like after a heavy snow. I remember looking at Pace Plaza and not even realizing that was where the campus was located (I had been a Pleasantville student).

I remember how everything was covered in ash and how quiet it was, like after a heavy snow.

I can remember that whole day from waking up to going home the next day. Fast forward 20+ years later and I am a proud member of the faculty of Pace University, and have been teaching in the criminal justice program for the last ten years.

Back to Top

Crystal Hartley '05

I was a first-year student at Pace University’s New York City Campus and was living in Maria’s Tower. On the morning of September 11, I was asleep when I heard a loud boom. I didn’t think much about it because during the night there were thunderstorms. I began to hear a steady stream of sirens and I was awoken by somebody rushing into my room telling me that the World Trade Center was on fire. We all ran to the lobby of our residence hall floor and stared out the windows facing the World Trade Center. The news was on in the background and it seemed that the media was just as confused as we were.

We saw a second plane approaching and my first instinct was that it was going to be pouring water on the tower to stop the fire. As the plane approached we knew that something was off and the next thing you knew, it flew through the second Tower, causing an explosion that looked like it was going to hit our building. At that moment everybody started screaming, running around, not knowing what to do. I quickly got dressed and ran downstairs; some people were running into the building, some people were running out of the building. Outside, everything was covered in dust and people were running toward the Brooklyn Bridge. I witnessed people jumping out of the WTC—it was the most gut-wrenching thing I’ve ever seen.

Once we realized our building was stable, I ran back inside. I found my way into Pace’s Financial Aid offices where I was able to call my mother. On the phone with her, I just cried because I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen to me, but I wanted her to know I was safe at that moment. I told her I would try to call her again once I knew what was happening. Just then, the second tower collapsed.

In the chaos, I saw people coming together to help others; trying to gather supplies and debris to build stretchers.

Everyone around me was going crazy; someone yelled they smelled gas and again we ran outside. It was like the apocalypse. In the chaos, I saw people coming together to help others; trying to gather supplies and debris to build stretchers.

At some point that day, I remember being in the auditorium being told that Pace was trying to get buses to take students to the Pleasantville Campus the next day and if we did not wish to go we had to find our own way out of the city. I went back to my residence hall and made arrangements with my step-father to come to the city to bring myself and a few other students back to Pennsylvania.

As night approached and the electricity went out, things seemed to go silent except for a steady high pitched sound that lasted through the night. I later found out that noise was coming from PASS devices, a loud audible alert to notify others in the area that firefighters were in distress.

The next morning I gathered my belongings, found the other students who were coming with me and headed outside in hopes of being able to get out of NYC. Nothing prepared me for what I saw. Outside, there was an army vehicle of some sorts, with an armed man lying on top. As we walked by, we all took in the scene—it did not look like lower Manhattan; it looked like we were transported to a war zone. We continued our walk north to Midtown where we took a Red Cross ferry to New Jersey. We waited there for six hours until my stepfather was able to pick us up.

As we walked by, we all took in the scene—it did not look like lower Manhattan; it looked like we were transported to a war zone.

After several days of being home, we received word that we were allowed to return to campus. I knew that I had to return and so back to Pace I went. The months following were a blur; it seemed like all of my classes all we did was discuss our experiences and listen to one another. I got used to wearing a mask, having air purifiers in rooms, not being able to open windows. There were groups that would go out in the evening and walk down to the fire station and sing and thank them. Eventually, things started to feel like we were getting back to some sort of normalcy. I graduated in 2005 and moved back to Pennsylvania.

September 11, 2001 changed me forever. I can close my eyes and relive all of those events. It has been 25 years and I still can’t talk about it without crying. It’s hard for people to understand what it was like for a first-year student who was excited to start school and be in a big city with big dreams, and within a few days you are fearing for your life. I know I am extremely fortunate that I am alive and that I wasn’t harmed or lost a loved one.

Back to Top

As Pace University marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, we are republishing this timeline, curated by Pace University Archivist Ellen Sowchek as part of the Pace University 9/11 Oral History Project. Drawn from University records and contemporary Pace publications, it documents how the events of that day and their immediate aftermath unfolded across the Pace community, from Lower Manhattan to Westchester, and captures the University’s response, recovery, and role in supporting students, employees, first responders, and the surrounding downtown community.

Image

Pace University September 11 Timeline

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was the fifth day of regular classes and the second day of early-bird and evening classes for Pace University’s fall semester. In 2001, Pace’s Lower Manhattan campus, located in the heart of the civic and financial center of New York City, comprised several facilities:

• The One Pace Plaza building, housing offices, classrooms, the Birnbaum Library, and Maria’s Tower, with 15 floors of dormitory space;
• The 41 Park Row building, home to numerous academic departments and classrooms;
• The World Trade Institute, located on the 55th floor of the World Trade Center, the site for specialized training programs for individuals and organizations in international business, law and culture, and foreign languages; and
• Additional residential space at 100 John Street, 106 Fulton Street, and 135 William Street; the College of Insurance on West Street; and the Hotel St. George across the bridge in Brooklyn Heights.

It began as a beautiful day, with perfect weather, the kind of day when many would have probably preferred being outside rather than in class or at work. With classes beginning at 7:00 a.m., many students, faculty, and staff were already on Pace premises when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north facade of the World Trade Center’s north tower at 8:46 a.m. Others were just emerging from adjacent subway and PATH stations when United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the south tower 17 minutes later. Still others were on their way in, turned back farther uptown as first the south tower and then the north tower fell at 9:59 a.m. and 10:28 a.m., bringing the public transportation system and then the entire city to a halt, 102 unforgettable minutes that changed New York City forever.

There are many timelines available, some minute by minute, chronicling the events of that day and its immediate aftermath on a global level. At Pace, we are fortunate to have several chronicles of our own experience and our own response to events. The following is a general outline of what happened, compiled from information in two Pace periodicals: the student-generated Pace Press and the monthly in-house newsletter Opportunitas.

Tuesday Morning, September 11, 2001

Within minutes of the planes crashing, Dean for Students Marijo Russell-O’Grady sends Student Life staff to the dormitory space at the College of Insurance on West Street, a block north of the World Trade Center. Staff urge students to come to the One Pace Plaza building.

Uptown, at the Pace Midtown Center, located on Fifth Avenue and 45th Street, President David A. Caputo is attending a meeting of the Executive Council and the Board of Trustees. He is notified of the crashes by New York Safety and Security Director Richard Abbinanti. The president sends the vice president for finance and administration, Leonard Sippel, downtown, and the Midtown Center is set up as a communications base. Pace’s main switchboard, located on the Briarcliff campus, erupts with a steady stream of calls, many from parents.

At 10:00 a.m., classes are canceled. Fearing additional attacks, security staff suggest that everyone remain in the building, but those wishing to leave are directed north. Some are already outside when the towers collapse.

Tuesday Afternoon, September 11, 2001

Image

Security and Buildings and Grounds staff move everyone to the gym, the Spotlight Café, and the theater, where the air quality is best. Thanks to quick thinking by Victor Jabar, NYC Buildings and Grounds director, the building’s ventilation system is shut down to prevent contaminated smoke and dust from entering. A temporary cell phone system is set up to relay information to the switchboard operators in Briarcliff.

Pace is contacted by the New York City Fire Department to use the One Pace Plaza building. President Caputo gives the OK, and the New York City Office of Emergency Management transforms the admissions area into a field hospital. It later becomes a triage center for rescue workers and for anyone in the vicinity needing a place to stay.

Tuesday Evening–Wednesday Morning, September 11–12, 2001

Image

The director of Auxiliary Services asks the nine food service employees to stay and feed whoever is in the building. Thousands of students, faculty, staff, firefighters, police, and EMS workers are fed.

By late afternoon, students are allowed to return to the Maria’s Tower dorm. They are joined by President Caputo, Vice President Sippel, Dean Russell-O’Grady, Executive Assistant to the President Cindy Heilberger, and the director and two staff members from the Counseling Center. They remain all night.

By 7:00 p.m., Provost Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz reports that faculty and staff, including those from the World Trade Institute, located on the 55th floor of the north tower, appear to be safe.

Pace loses electricity on Tuesday and must rely on emergency generators to power emergency lights in the dormitory, one elevator, and water and sewage pumps. More electricity is needed for the triage center. Paramount Studios in Long Island City arrives with portable receptacles and lighting, followed by a larger generator from Con Ed at 10:00 p.m.

On Wednesday morning, NYC Security Director Abbinanti secures five NYC buses to take New York students to Brooklyn and Pleasantville. Pleasantville students share their dorm rooms with their New York classmates.

Thursday and Friday, September 13–14, 2001

Westchester classes resume on Thursday. With phone service out, two toll-free hotlines are set up on Friday, one for employees and the other to field calls from parents and communicate with nonresident New York City students. Over the course of two weeks, 99 volunteers handle 6,692 phone calls. The University begins offering group counseling sessions for faculty and staff at the Midtown Center. More than 700 people attend.

On Friday, the decision is made to try to reopen on Wednesday, September 19.

Image

Saturday and Sunday, September 15–16, 2001

One Pace Plaza remains open thanks to Security and Buildings and Grounds personnel. Cleaners and maintenance workers maintain restroom and shower facilities for the National Guard, which uses One Pace Plaza as a command post.

Wednesday, September 19, 2001, and After

An emotional day in the life of the University, resident students, faculty, and staff begin returning to campus. Many are eager to resume their routine and look for ways to help. The Center for Community Outreach works with students to create a remembrance quilt and to publish a compilation of student photography, poetry, artwork, and prose stemming from their experiences.

The Center, together with the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, coordinates a four-session campus forum series on U.S. foreign policy, the history of the Middle East, terrorism, and civil liberties. The Michaelian Institute for Public Policy and Management offers a forum titled “The September 11 Tragedies: A Discussion of the Psychological, Economic, Security, and Political Implications.” These sessions are attended by more than 400 students.

The Long-Term Impact on Pace

In the days and weeks following its reopening, Pace University establishes itself as an important resource for the downtown community and a contributor to rebuilding and revitalization efforts. Primarily through the Center for Downtown New York (CDNY), created by President David A. Caputo, the University opens its doors to the community as a source of expertise in a variety of disciplines and as a gathering place.

In early October, Pace announced additional support for those affected by the attacks. The University established the Pace Remembers Memorial Fund to provide tuition assistance to spouses and children of September 11 victims, along with an endowed scholarship fund and emergency grants for current Pace students who had been displaced, lost employment, or lost a family member. Pace also contributed $25,000 each to the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, the United Way September 11 Fund, and the American Red Cross.

CDNY joins with the Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to promote the SBDC’s free services available to Lower Manhattan businesses. In the weeks immediately following September 11, the SBDC helps more than 100 merchants file for disaster and recovery loans. It also sponsors a number of conferences:

• Courts in the Aftermath of 9/11: 9/11 Summit: A three-day summit covering issues confronting the courts after 9/11, including how to balance heightened security needs with public access to the courts and how to address the unique legal issues arising from such events.
• Building Memories: The Future of September 11: Held the week before the one-year anniversary, this one-day conference serves as an open forum designed to provide background and insight into the process of memorializing September 11.
• Lessons Learned from 9/11: Emergency Management Planning for Universities: This conference offers other university leaders information on how to prepare for and respond to disasters, how to determine which methods work, and how to gauge the preparedness of academic institutions for such events. Panels include academic and administrative leaders from various areas of the University.
• Democracy at a Critical Juncture: The Regional, National, and Global Implications of 9/11: Undergraduates from universities in the United States and Israel take part in an intensive week of seminars to study the impact of September 11 and its aftermath from a variety of political, economic, social, and religious perspectives.

Faculty and students also play an important role during this time. The Pace Press, under the editorship of Shams Tarek, becomes a vital source of communications in the days following September 11.

History professors Bill Offutt and Nancy Reagin create a Yahoo! listserv and bulletin board for students after Pace loses communications capabilities.

More than 200 law students, led by Professor Vanessa Merton, provide free legal assistance to victims of the attacks. The Disaster Assistance Program helps those affected by the attacks identify their needs and secure representation.

The Student Government Association, led by President Nancy Owen, sponsors a three-day Antiterrorism Conference. Four students from Oklahoma City attend and participate in a panel discussion with six Pace students. Other panels include faculty-led discussions covering business and economic perspectives and the prevention of terrorism.