The 14th Annual Convocation for Remembrance Scholars filled Hendricks Chapel on Friday with memories of students whose lives were cut short before they could accomplish all they hoped to while honoring students who are on their way to accomplishing great things.

The convocation was meant to remember those students who died on Pan Am Flight 103, to honor those students who have been selected as Remembrance and Lockerbie scholars this year and recognize Graham J. Herbert, the rector of Lockerbie Academy, for helping to keep the connection between Syracuse University and Lockerbie, Scotland.

On Dec. 21, 1988, a bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 and the plane crashed over Lockerbie, killing all the passengers on board, including 35 students in SU’s Division of International Programs Abroad program. Each year since the terrorist attack, SU officials have chosen 35 SU students to be Remembrance Scholars to honor those who lost their lives. In addition to the SU students, two students from Lockerbie are invited to attend SU every year to uphold the connection between that town and SU.

This convocation was different this year because Herbert was presented with the Chancellor’s Medal for his efforts to form a bridge between SU and his town and school.

‘I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this,’ Herbert said.

He spoke about the importance of remembrance and international awareness. He also noted that the 35 Remembrance Scholars and two Lockerbie Scholars are the living embodiment of remembrance to him and that the people of Lockerbie would never forget the tragic event.

‘(In) a town where nothing ever happens, that night was to change Lockerbie forever,’ said Herbert.

The convocation began with a procession by the scholars walking to somber music and holding roses that were placed in a large vase at the end of the procession. This was followed by a series of speeches.

Dean David Rubin of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications expressed his feelings about the event during the ceremony. He said that, at the time, this event seemed isolated and catastrophic but now people are beginning to realize that terrorism exists all around us.

‘It should have awakened us to many issues we are now dealing with,’ Rubin said.

Rubin encouraged the scholars to think more broadly about the geopolitical state of the world and to not be afraid of doing whatever is necessary to make a difference.

Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw spoke to the crowd, noting that the scholars are chosen from the very best students at SU. He spoke about the way people often rise to a challenge at the times when it often seems hardest and encouraged everyone to do so.

‘It is often at times of greatest stress that we find our finest selves,’ Shaw said.

For the convocation, Ingrid E. Skoog, a senior computer science and mathematics major and a Remembrance Scholar spoke to represent the group.

‘Their loss is profoundly overwhelming forever,’ Skoog said. ‘We have been charged with living two lives.’

The message she brought to the crowd was one filled with hope for this year’s scholars and respect for those who lost their lives.

‘We will never allow them to become nameless statistics,’ said Skoog, while expressing her feelings of closeness to the victims.

Published on November 16, 2003 at 12:00 pm