Ashland University Department to Present 9/11 Documentary

What were you doing on 9/11? This September marks the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and in observance and reflection of this anniversary, the Ashland University Journalism and Digital Media department has put together a documentary. It will be shown on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre and the event is free and open to the public.

“To honor the Americans who died on Sept. 11, 2001, the rescue workers and the family members left behind, the College of Arts & Sciences invites you to the premiere of “9/11 Remembered,” a documentary film produced by students and faculty in the Department of Journalism and Digital Media,” said Dawn Weber, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Featuring interviews with Ashland University faculty, footage of New York shot by TV2 Producer Jess Baker (R/TV '02) on 9/12 and excerpts from the 9/11 Commission Report, the documentary explores the implications of this event on our nation in the decade since.”

One of the most exciting aspects of the documentary is the interview with and perspective from radio and TV alumna Jess Baker ('02) who, along with her partner Laura Allenbaugh ('03), drove from Ashland to New York City with a video camera to cover the story.

Tim McCarty, interim chair of the Journalism and Digital Media (JDM) department, noted the goals of the documentary are to be respectful, cover the anniversary and reflect on how the world is different now because of 9/11.

McCarty said that after the JDM department decided the topic, they set out to gather experts from various fields to discuss the events of 9/11. McCarty explained that the crew brought in various staff members to interview and obtain their professional perspectives.

“We wanted diverse points-of-view and the University gave us access to all these perspectives,” McCarty said. “It was really exciting.”

Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.