51³Ô¹ÏÍø

As the university takes a look back on its history during this Bicentennial year, we pause to think of those lost on this day, 17 years ago. Seven 51³Ô¹ÏÍø alumni were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center and on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

Sharon Balkcom ’80 – was a political science major from Harlem who worked as a systems manager in the World Trade Center.

Nestor A. Cintron III ’96 – was from the lower East Side of New York City. He died working as a broker at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center.

Scott Coleman ’94 – worked and died alongside his brother Keith (not from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø) in the equities division of Cantor Fitzgerald.

Aaron Jacobs ’96 – worked as an equity trader at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center.

Todd Pelino ’89 – died in the World Trade Center. He played soccer at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and was the father of two children. His sister-in-law Kathleen Pezzuti was also killed in the WTC, which means Todd’s wife, Megan Pelino ’89, lost her husband and her sister that day.

Edward Porter Felt, ’81 – died aboard United Flight 93, which crashed in western Penn. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and a senior systems analyst at BEA Systems in N.J.

David Retik, ’90 – was onboard American Airlines Flight 11, flying from Boston, where he worked, to New York City. David was married to Susan Zalesne Retik ’90. Their third child was born in March 2002.

In addition to the seven alumni who died, we also remember that at least 15 relatives of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø alumni died on that day – including Daniel Santa Maria (cousin of Ana Calle ’05), Michael Hardy Edwards (son of William Edwards ’52 and brother of Christopher Edwards ’93), and Amy Jarret (flight attendant on United Airlines flight 175). This list of alumni and friends was compiled by Professor of Political Science Robert Kraynak. 

Judd Chapel, an interfaith space for prayer and reflection located on the , will be open all day for students to pray, meditate, light a candle, or to simply sit in silence.