Events

Look Back, Act Forward

Each year in the fall, Syracuse University observes Remembrance Week.  Events are designed by the Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars, whose goal is to raise campus and community awareness of terrorism and to encourage the entire Syracuse University community to remember the victims of the Pan Am 103 bombing by becoming involved and working to positively impact others.

As our campus and community looks back on a senseless tragedy, we find comfort and meaning in remembering the lives and passions of those who lost their lives on December 21, 1988 and especially in acting – on their behalf – to make the communities we live in better. All activities are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

For information about past Remembrance Week events, please contact the Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives.

Remembrance Week

October 15-21, 2023

All Week

Empty Seats Display, Shaw Quadrangle  – The Empty Seats are a visual representation of the Syracuse University students lost aboard Pan Am Flight 103. The display is meant to serve as a reminder of how a loss in the past can inspire positive actions in the present. This year’s Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will sit in solidarity in the seats on Wednesday, Oct. 18, beginning at 9:15 a.m.

Remembrance Window Paintings, Schine Student Center

Chalk Drawings, Shaw Quadrangle sidewalks

Pen-and-Ink Drawing of Syracuse University study abroad student victims, Hendricks Chapel

Blue and White Flags – Flags for each of the victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing will be on display in the area between the Newhouse School and Schine Student Center.

The Hall of Languages, Hendricks Chapel, and JMA Wireless Dome will also be lit in blue in honor of Remembrance Week.

In Pursuit of Justice: Pan Am Flight 103, Special Collections Research Center, Bird Library, 6th Floor Galleries – This 35th anniversary commemorative exhibition curated by Pan Am 103 Archivist & Assistant University Archivist Vanessa St.Oegger-Menn documents the disaster, investigation, and first trial at Kamp van Zeist in the Netherlands. The exhibition consists of materials donated  to the Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives at Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center by victims’ loved ones, communities, and members of the investigative teams. The exhibition is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 15

Candlelight Vigil, Place of Remembrance, 6 p.m.  – The Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will begin Remembrance Week with a candlelight vigil to remember the 270 victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. In the event of rain, the vigil will be held inside Hendricks Chapel.

Monday, Oct. 16

Remembrance Stone Painting, Shaw Quadrangle, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Members of the University community are invited to paint stones that will be placed on top of the Wall of Remembrance during the Rose-Laying Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 20.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

“Sitting in Solidarity,” Shaw Quadrangle, 9:15 a.m.  – The Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will sit in the empty seats on the Quad for 35 minutes.

Screening of Seat 20D and Filmmaker Q&A, Gifford Auditorium, Huntington Beard Crouse Hall, 7 p.m. – The documentary tells the story of “Dark Elegy,” the memorial sculpture created by Suse Lowenstein, whose son, Alexander, was killed in the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. A question-and-answer session with filmmaker Jill Campbell will follow. RSVP for the screening at this link.

Thursday, Oct. 19

Celebration of Life, Gifford Auditorium, Huntington Beard Crouse Hall, 8 p.m. – An evening of music, poetry, art, dancing and more to honor the victims of Pan Am Flight 103 and to celebrate life alongside the victims’ families and the current Scholars. ASL interpretation and CART translation will be available for this event.

Friday, Oct. 20

Rose-Laying Ceremony, Place of Remembrance, 2 p.m. – This annual ceremony remembers the 270 people, including 35 students studying abroad through Syracuse University, who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The ceremony also honors 2002-2003 Lockerbie Scholar Andrew McClune, who died in 2002. ASL interpretation will be available for this event.

Remembrance Scholar Convocation, Hendricks Main Chapel, 3 p.m. – This annual convocation will honor the 2023-2024 Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars. ASL interpretation and CART translation will be available for this event. The convocation will be livestreamed. A reception at the Syracuse University Art Museum Galleria in the Shaffer Art Building will be held immediately following the ceremony.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will perform community service in downtown Syracuse with We Rise Above the Streets.