This year marks the 20th anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. The plane exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 passengers and 11 residents of Lockerbie who were on the ground.

Thirty-five Syracuse University students were onboard the plane, coming back from studying abroad in London and Florence.

Every year, the university honors the students during Remembrance Week, the third week of October. Families and friends of the victims come to Syracuse to take part in the traditional ceremonies that commemorate the victims of the tragedy.

These events include the Rose-Laying Ceremony, the building of a traditional Scottish memorial and the Remembrance Scholar Convocation.

SU chooses 35 students as Remembrance Scholars who represent the fallen students during Remembrance Week. In an effort to connect with the victim they represent, the scholars research their lives – cut short by tragedy.

Upcoming Events

OCT. 24 2008

What: Rose-Laying Ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance
Where: The Wall of Remembrance (in front of the Hall of Languages)
When: 2:03 p.m. (the time of the tragedy)
Why: (From the SU Web site – ‘This traditional and moving event will honor each of the 35 students killed on Pan Am Flight 103. Each of the 2008 – 2009 Remembrance Scholars will lay a rose in honor of the student they are representing.’

What: Remembrance Scholar Convocation
Where: Hendricks Chapel
When: 3:30 p.m.
Why: The 2008-09 Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will be honored at the ceremony. A reception will follow.

OCT. 25 2008

What: ‘The Bird and the Two-Ton Weight’
Where: Hendricks Chapel
When: 2:30 p.m.
Why: Written by SU alum Darcy Fowler ’06, this play addresses the topics of life and death, and how the Pan Am 103 tragedy is entwined with both. The performance is free and open to the public, and also runs on Sunday, Oct. 26.

The Scholars

Click a name to read more about the 2008-2009 scholars.