9/11 vigil, video at DePauw

Monday, September 11, 2006

"The September Project," a video memorial produced by and featuring DePauw University students, will have its world premiere on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Also, the public is invited to take part in a candlelight memorial from 9:30-10 p.m. tonight on DePauw's East College lawn (west side). If it rains, the vigil will be conducted at the Anderson Street Hall. The office of spiritual life will offer a time of remembrance and mourning for those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.

Produced in conjunction with DePauw's Roy O. West Library, "The September Project" features student recollections of the events of 9/11. Undergraduates also discuss how America has changed in the five years since the terrorist attacks and consider the role of the public library in democratic societies.

"The September Project" was one of several video projects -- including public service announcements, advertisements, "man on the street"-style interviews, and news features -- produced by students enrolled in DePauw's First Year Seminar, "Video as Cultural Politics."

According to project supervisor, Dr. Kevin Howley, associate professor of media studies at DePauw University, "The September Project" had enormous educational value.

"Aside from providing a hands-on lesson in video production, students came away from this project with a greater understanding of video's capacity to promote dialogue and debate," Howley said. "Students came to appreciate the value of community video in amplifying voices, opinions and perspectives that are rarely heard in mainstream media."

"The September Project" gets its name from a grassroots effort to encourage communities, in conjunction with local libraries, to provide a forum for people to discuss a host of issues: democracy, war and peace, terrorism, militarism, religion, and conflict resolution.

The September Project will foster civic events around the world on September 11 such as poetry readings, film screenings, art competitions, public lectures and community forums. The September Project events are designed to bring people into their local libraries and get them talking about important issues in politics, culture and religion in a safe and civil manner.

"The September Project" will be screened at 4 p.m. today at the Peeler Auditorium on the DePauw University campus. A moderated discussion will follow.

Admission to the video screening is free and the public is welcome.

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