Coming Fall 2026: 9/11 Stair Climb in Honor of 25th Anniversary
April 20, 2026
This fall marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy that shook the nation. To honor this milestone, rising sophomores, Connor Brown, Cam Cook, and Tyler Hildreth are partnering with University administration, campus clubs and departments, community organizations, local businesses, and first responders to host a 9/11 Memorial and Stair climb at Fisher.
On Friday, September 11, 2026, Fisher students, faculty, and staff, alongside local first responders and community members, will climb the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs in Kearney Hall (nine trips up and down from the first to the fourth floor) in memory of the first responders and all those who lost their lives on that day.
Brown, a nursing major who has been a volunteer firefighter for four years in his hometown of Watertown, NY, hosted a stair climb last fall as a new first-year student in Ward Hall. He gathered up other first-year students on his floor who joined him in the early hours of September 11, bonding them early in their Fisher journey. That sparked his interest in doing something on a larger scale for the upcoming anniversary. Brown shared that his goal is to ensure the lives lost on September 11 are never forgotten, and to bring people together in a meaningful way to reflect, honor, and show respect - not just through words, but through action.
“I hope attendees leave with a deeper sense of appreciation for the lives lost, for the responders who ran toward danger, and for the importance of unity as a community. This event is meant to be reflective, but also powerful. It’s about remembering the past while reinforcing the values of service, resilience, and coming together,” he said.
The remembrance will begin at 3 p.m. on the Kearney steps with a ceremony featuring remarks from Brown, University leadership, and elected officials. Food and refreshments will be available following the stair climb.
Brown, Cook, and Hildreth are encouraging students to register before leaving for the summer as the event will happen during the first week of classes in the fall. Those who register will receive reminders throughout the summer and registrants will receive a t-shirt for the climb. Registration is open for those interested in participating as well as those who would like to volunteer or attend the memorial.
“We’re grateful for all the support we’ve received and are excited to continue building something that will last for years to come,” Brown added.
Coming Fall 2026: 9/11 Stair Climb in Honor of 25th Anniversary2026-04-20T08:55:35-04:00This fall marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy that shook the nation. To honor this milestone, rising sophomores, Connor Brown, Cam Cook, and Tyler Hildreth are partnering with University administration, campus clubs and departments, community organizations, local businesses, and first responders to host a 9/11 Memorial and Stair climb at Fisher.On Friday, September 11, 2026, Fisher students, faculty, and staff, alongside local first responders and community members, will climb the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs in Kearney Hall (nine trips up and down from the first to the fourth floor) in memory of the first responders and all those who lost their lives on that day.
Brown, a nursing major who has been a volunteer firefighter for four years in his hometown of Watertown, NY, last fall as a new first-year student in Ward Hall. He gathered up other first-year students on his floor who joined him in the early hours of September 11, bonding them early in their Fisher journey. That sparked his interest in doing something on a larger scale for the upcoming anniversary. Brown shared that his goal is to ensure the lives lost on September 11 are never forgotten, and to bring people together in a meaningful way to reflect, honor, and show respect - not just through words, but through action.
“I hope attendees leave with a deeper sense of appreciation for the lives lost, for the responders who ran toward danger, and for the importance of unity as a community. This event is meant to be reflective, but also powerful. It’s about remembering the past while reinforcing the values of service, resilience, and coming together,” he said.
The remembrance will begin at 3 p.m. on the Kearney steps with a ceremony featuring remarks from Brown, University leadership, and elected officials. Food and refreshments will be available following the stair climb.
Brown, Cook, and Hildreth are encouraging students to register before leaving for the summer as the event will happen during the first week of classes in the fall. Those who register will receive reminders throughout the summer and registrants will receive a t-shirt for the climb. Registration is open for those interested in participating as well as those who would like to volunteer or attend the memorial.
“We’re grateful for all the support we’ve received and are excited to continue building something that will last for years to come,” Brown added.
Register for Fall 2026 9/11 Stair Climb
/media/news-images/spring-2026/april/9.11-Stair-Climb-Graphic_960x640.jpg
