UAlbany Alumni Across the Nation Track Welfare of Classmates
By Greta Petry
In the wake of the September 11 tragedies, University at Albany alumni across the nation have been checking in at a special Web site to track the welfare of fellow classmates, to share eyewitness accounts of the attacks, and to let the Alumni Relations Office know they are �alive and well,� as so many of them put it.
Called the Alumni Crisis Information Center, the Web site is located at https://www.albany.edu/alumni/crisis.html. By sending one�s full name, maiden name, class year, and address, UAlbany alumni can also register their comments on what has been called the worst tragedy in American history.
At least one comment came from overseas. Catherine Bertini �71, executive director of the World Food Programme, based in Rome, Italy, wrote to say she was in the Dominican Republic at the time of the attack.
Many alumni reported they were uncomfortably close to the World Trade Center. Philip D. Hauser �78 wrote, �I work five blocks away from the World Trade Center with a perfect view of the south tower. I feared for my life as the building became surrounded by the black cloud of debris as the towers fell. Physically I am OK, but I feel forever changed.�
Lucy (Moore) Johanson �86, wrote, �I am fine; my husband who worked in 7 WTC is also fine.�
From Eddie Bodre �90, �I was close by at the time, I�m OK.�
From Steven Guttman �97, �I witnessed the horror firsthand. I was close to being injured, possibly killed. Fortunately, everyone I know is safe.�
To date, UAlbany alumni John A. Reo, who earned a bachelor�s degree in economics in 2000; Stephen Mulderry �90, co-captain of the basketball team; Shawn Bowman �94, �96; and Clyde Frasier �88 are reported missing in the World Trade Center collapse. USA Today reported that Taimour Khan �94, is missing as well. Mulderry was vice president of equity trading for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods on the 89th floor of the World Trade Center. A memorial service was held for him September 22 in Albany.
Many UAlbany alumni reported having a close call.
Michael Lettera �92, �94 wrote, �I�m OK. I worked on the 28th floor of 1 WTC, but I was lucky to make it out fast and safe.�
Dan Miller �99 wrote, �I worked on the 77th floor of the World Trade Center; I was on my way to work when I saw the second plane hit. I was able to get away without any injuries.�
Marco Haber �95 worked on the 97th floor of the World Trade Center. He went to work late because he went out to eat with a friend.
Peter McDaniel �97 wrote that he is �alive and well.� McDaniel works for �LaBranche, right on the floor of the Stock Exchange. [I] narrowly avoided a disastrous end, but lost some co-workers.�
Some UAlbany alumni saw the planes hit the World Trade Center from their rooftops in Manhattan, one from across the river in Hoboken, and one saw the flaming towers from her office in Staten Island. Others work two blocks away, five blocks away, or a mile away from the WTC, but all were deeply affected by the tragedy.
Louise (Rigano) Rachal �78 of New Rochelle, was thankful to be home with her child. �I previously worked on the 49th floor of WTC2. Thankfully, I am now home full time with my 16-month-old son. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families touched by this tragedy.�
Eric Walton �78 works on 27th Street in Manhattan. �I was on a plane on September 11 bound for Los Angeles, but according to the grace of God my place was spared . . . I will go to the WTC to pray with the families who lost loved ones. God Bless America.�
Others helped treat the victims.
David L. Sloane �81 of Hartsdale, wrote, �As a volunteer EMT I worked at both Bellevue Hospital and the Broadway Traige/Trauma Center on Tuesday, Sept. 11.�
Others are volunteering in other ways. Nikki Hirsch �87 wrote, �I work on Canal Street and have seen the devastation. Doing as much as I can to volunteer. The city remains strong with the most unbelievable wills. Hope all is well with the class.�
Noreen Owens �94 lives four blocks away, but was at work when it happened. �My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected, especially the NYFD. My neighborhood lost our whole fire house that morning.�
Steven G. Lercari �01 wrote, �I am a firefighter with Rescue Company No. 1 of the Oceanside Fire Department. I returned early on Friday, Sept. 14, after being called to duty on Tuesday, Sept. 11. I am all right.�
Bernard T. DoMinh �87 of Washington, D.C., noted, �I work within two miles of the Pentagon and use the subway station at the Pentagon on a daily basis. I escaped being hurt by 50 minutes. I am alive and well.�
Alumni checked in from Georgia, California, and Israel. Laura (Katz) Novich �91 wrote, �I live in Israel. I have survived many terrorist attacks.�
Those who live many miles away from the sites of the attacks nevertheless expressed shock and overwhelming sadness at the atrocity. Many sent prayers for the victims and their families, or just expressed their dismay.
�I am forever transformed down to the very core of my soul by this heinous attack on our country. My heart goes out to the victims, and the unfathomable number of deaths,� wrote Debi (Hirsch) Boyer �86 of Rochester.
Some, like Larry Kravitz �94, �95, reported that several of his friends were all OK. �Ted Hotaling, Paul Fitzpatrick, Dan Keegan, Brian Woods, Bob Connolly, Craig Sprosts, Tom Breen and Andrew Nappi are okay, our prayers go out to the entire Albany community.�
And others, like David J. Gravalese �99, were glad the University cares. �Hello, thank you for the concern. I am very much OK. I feel thankful for having a network such as Albany that cares and takes time out to do something like this.�