On September 11, 2001, Brooklyn College experienced the tragedy firsthand as smoke, scorched paper, and debris from the World Trade Center reached campus. Students, staff, and faculty gathered to follow unfolding events and support one another. In the days that followed, the college held memorials to honor those lost and reflect on the resilience of the Brooklyn College community.
“A quarter century later, we continue to remember those we lost and the many lives forever changed by September 11,” said Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson. “We also remember how our Brooklyn College community came together with compassion, strength, and resilience, and we carry that spirit forward.”
Read a special message from President Anderson here.
Pausing to Remember
Twenty-five years later, Brooklyn College continues its annual remembrance through the ringing of the library tower bell.
Since 2002, the bell has tolled six times at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37, 9:59, 10:03, and 10:28 a.m., marking the pivotal moments of that morning and inviting the community to pause in memory of those whose lives were lost.
Honoring Alumni Lost That Day
Below is a list of the Brooklyn College alumni who were tragically lost on September 11, 2001.
Ernest Alikakos ’89
Auditor, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Ezra Aviles ’86
Senior manager, strategic planning and development, Port Authority
Eustace Bacchus ’83
Independent trader, American Stock Exchange, attending a meeting at Windows on the World
Steven Berger ’79
Supervisor of corporate tax auditors, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Andre Cox ’01
Cafeteria worker, 101st floor of World Trade Center
James R. Coyle (attended Brooklyn College in the 1990s)
FDNY firefighter, Ladder 3
Peter Freund ’84
FDNY lieutenant, Engine Co. 55
John Giordano ’80
FDNY firefighter‚ Hazardous Materials 1
Michael Gogliormella ’80
Technology Division eSpeed, Inc., a division of Cantor Fitzgerald
Joseph Grillo ’77
Risk finance analyst, Port Authority
Jeffrey Hersch ’81
Accountant, Cantor Fitzgerald
Lorraine Lisi ’80
Vice President, Fiduciary Trust International
Paul Lisson ’80
Records clerk, Aon Corp.
Robert Mayo (attended Brooklyn College 1973–76)
Deputy fire inspector, World Trade Center
Robert Miller ’76
Conferee, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Gregory Saucedo ’92
FDNY Firefighter, Ladder 5; Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo Triangle on Avenue T is named in his honor
Ian Schneider ’78
Senior managing director, Cantor Fitzgerald
Craig Silverstein ’88
Equity trader, Sandler O’Neill and Partners
Arthur Simon ’69
Equities trader, Fred Alger Management; died along with son Ken, Cantor Fitzgerald
Robert Twomey ’78
Trader, Harvey Young Yurman; attending a breakfast meeting at Windows on the World
Abraham J. Zelmanowitz (attended Brooklyn College 1965–1969)
Computer programmer, Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Prokopios “Paul” Zois ’78
Consultant, Marsh & McLennan; travel specialist, American Express; taught at Kingsborough Community College Department of Tourism and Hospitality
