Emerson reflects on marathon attacks

Emerson College was one of several communities to pause and reflect on the Boston Marathon bombings at the one-year anniversary on April 15.

The horrific acts affected many Emerson students, faculty, and staff, some of whom were near the two bombs that exploded less than a mile from campus on Boylston Street.

The Visual and Media Arts Department dedicated its twice-weekly Bright Lights film-screening event on April 15 to showing short films by students that memorialized the events of the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Several student films reflecting on the Boston Marathon attacks were viewed at the Bright Family Screening Room on April 15, the one-year anniversary. Assistant Professor Paul Turano (center) stands with student filmmakers (from left) Gabrielle Montoute '15, Abigail O'Neall '14, Karen Gerofsky, MFA '14, Brandon Sichling, MFA '14, Amy DePaola, MDA '15, Nikoletta Kanakis '13, and Jamil Brown. (Photo by Michelle Kwong '15)

The screening was “a testament to the creative achievements of Emerson visual artists who engage with challenging circumstances in an effort to help us all heal and comprehend,” read a description of the film event, which was programmed by Assistant Professor Paul Turano.

This year, Emerson community members and the general public are invited to “participate in their own Boston Marathon” by downloading the Boston Marathon World Run smartphone app, sponsored by John Hancock and the Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the marathon.

Also on April 15, a conversation about the Boston Marathon was held, titled Looking Back and Looking Forward, which was organized by Emerson Peace and Social Justice. The student group held the intimate conversation in a Walker Building classroom, where participants discussed thoughts, feelings, questions, and concerns about last year’s tragedy and this year’s marathon, which will be held Monday, April 21.

On that day, walk-in hours will be held at the Emerson Counseling and Psychological Services office, at 216 Tremont Street, second floor, from 1:00 to 4:30 pm, with group meditations at 2:30 and 4:00 pm, for any Emerson student having difficulty carrying on with day-to-day tasks.

“On the anniversary of a traumatic event, people often experience a re-occurrence of some or all of the feelings they experienced at the time of the event,” Dean of Students Ronald Ludman said in a message to the community.

Students may also call ECAPS at 617-824-8595 to schedule an appointment.

Counseling has also been made available to faculty and staff through Emerson’s LifeScope Employee Assistance Program.