“Look Back, Act Forward” Syracuse University Honors Pan Am 103 Victims at Candlelight Vigil

On a windy Sunday evening, a crowd of alumni, students, and friends gathered on the steps of Hendricks Chapel for a candlelight vigil. The event honored the 270 victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing on Dec. 21, 1988. Among those lost were 35 Syracuse University students returning home from semesters abroad in London and Florence.

Corri Zoli, a guest speaker and friend of a victim, addressed the crowd during the vigil with a somber, reflective message.

 “This vigil is not only about the past and memory — it’s about meaning,” she said. “Harm and injustice can feel enormous, overpowering, and shockingly close at hand, and still so many …choose to do good.” 

Wearing gray polos, the 35 Remembrance Scholars for 2025-2026 led the ceremony. While representing a range of ethnicities and backgrounds, they shared a guiding principle and motto: “Look Back, Act Forward.” 

Remembrance Scholars Jacquelyn Trotman and Annaliese Pillitteri led the event. They shared the somber history of the tragedy, centering their message on “knowing that love is the antidote to loss.” 

Following remarks from guest speakers, the scholars walked forward, and one by one, they read the names of all 270 victims. As each scholar returned to the line and lit their candle, a long, glowing row of lights slowly formed across the steps. The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble performed a moving rendition of “All We Ask,” followed by a moment of silence and a closing prayer led by Dean Brian Konkol of the Hendricks Chapel. 

One scholar said that representing the victims is an honor and a responsibility. The scholarship’s motto has them create “Act Forward” projects that call for using lessons learned in the past to inform future generations. 

“It’s about acknowledging the past but seeing what you can do to change the future,” electrical engineering senior Savion Pollard said.

Wafiq Khondkar, a biotechnology and philosophy senior, said the scholarship is a personal opportunity. As a member of the Muslim community, he wants to be proactive in “preventing media outlets from engaging in hateful messaging” against entire communities after terrible tragedies.  

Nathan Torabi, a political science, citizenship and civic engagement senior, emphasized that the scholarship forces students to “focus on people other than themselves.” He said he views the scholarship’s motto as a guide against the “erasure of history.”

“They were) students, friends, sons, and daughters,” Khondkar said.  “Live your life to the fullest, and do the best you can do.”