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HCC QUILT-MAKING PROJECT RECORDS COMMUNITY EXPRESSION OF REMEMBRANCE.

BRIDGEPORT - On the first anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, faculty, staff and students of Housatonic Community College pooled their creative resources Wednesday in a community expression of remembrance.

Members of the HCC community filed into the cafeteria alone and groups of two, three and four throughout the day to inscribe their thoughts, feelings, and prayers about September 11, 2001 onto a 5” x 5” piece of white fabric. With the aid of a flat iron, they then ironed the fabric onto a 6’ x 6’ red/white and blue quilt.

The quilt-making project, entitled “Piecing Out Lives Back Together,” was just one of three Remembrance Day events at the college. At noon, a formal opening of “Out of Clear Blue Sky,” a photographic exhibit devoted to 9/11, was held, while a special coffee house event was held at the college from 7 to 9 p.m.

“The quilt-making project gives members of the community the opportunity to express their wide ranging feelings,” said Student Life Coordinator Shante Hanks of West Haven, who coordinated the event. “They have been writing how they felt at the time, and how they feel today. Some have written prayers, while other have just written their name.”
The finished quilt will be placed on display at the college.

The opening ceremony for the exhibit gave speakers opportunity to share their feelings about 9/11. Dr. Janis M. Hadley, HCC’s president, described the sense of shock she felt as the news of the tragedy unfolded, while Bridgeport student James Stephenson described the sympathy he feels for those who lost family members and friends.

Student Spencer Cosgrove of Fairfield High School, accompanying himself on the piano, sang a powerful song “Dawn,” which he wrote in response to the tragedy.

At the coffeehouse, Art Professor John Favret, accompanying himself on the guitar, sang a number of songs, including Bob Marley’s "Redemption Song." English Professor Steve Mark read a selection of poems, including U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins’ “The Names.” An open mike session gave students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to read, speak, sing, or perform.

With a five-year-old campus in the heart of Connecticut's largest city, Housatonic is one of the region's fastest-growing public community colleges. Since it moved to the new campus in January 1997, HCC's enrollment has increased by 61 percent. According to the most recent statistics released by the Washington D.C.-based American Association of Community Colleges, HCC is the second fastest-growing community college in New England.
In response to increased enrollments and changing workplace needs both regionally and nationally, HCC has increased the number of programs offered from 43 to 66 since moving to the new campus.

The college is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 and Rte. 8.

Cutline:
HCC Student Life Coordinator Shante Hanks of West Haven (left) and colleague Anita Bennett of Shelton display the community quilt created by faculty, staff and students of Housatonic Community College.

Cutline: HCC Student Javier Santiago of Bridgeport affixes his contribution to community quilt being created by faculty, staff and students of Housatonic Community College.