Michael Massaroli, Jr. lost his father on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists hijacked four passenger airplanes and crashed them in New York City, Shanksville, Pa. and D.C.

“Although the fire at ground zero is out, the Pentagon is repaired and people’s hearts have begun to heal, we will never forget what happened that day,” the sophomore told dozens who gathered Wednesday in University Yard.

Michael Massaroli, Sr. worked at a financial services firm on the 101st floor of Tower 1 and was 38 years old when he died.

Students stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the 12th anniversary of the attacks and held candles as campus leaders, including University President Steven Knapp, honored the nearly 3,000 victims.