More than 2,000 Sacramento State students and faculty members paid tribute to those killed or missing in terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon at a convocation Thursday.

The University Ballroom was nearly silent as individuals from the campus and community spoke of the tragedy the United States faced two days earlier. They encouraged the campus to come together as one and to avoid pointing fingers.

“We are at a time in the history of our nation ? and our world ? when patience and civility must come forth,” President Donald Gerth said.

Speakers from religious organizations in the Sacramento area addressed the audience and emphasized the need to join together as a community.

“We need one another for support and for the strength it will take to bear this sorrow,” said the Rev. Donald Brown of Trinity Cathedral Church.

Brown added that pain and grief can quickly be turned to anger, and urged students and faculty to resist blaming one another. As a symbol of unity, Brown concluded his speech by asking the audience members to join hands as he led them in prayer.

In a similar spirit, Rabbi Brad Bloom of Congregation B’Nai Israel recited the 23rd Psalm from the Bible and encouraged the audience to join in.

“I appeal to you as Jews, Christians, Muslims and as Americans,” Bloom said. “No matter who our enemy is, we cannot turn on one another.”

Bishop William Weigand of the Diocese of Sacramento echoed his statements.

“We are one human family under God,” Weigand said. “All violence by its nature is anti-human, anti-Christian, anti-all religions.”

Faculty Senate Chair Bob Buckley related a story told him by a colleague who began her Wednesday class by asking if students wanted to discuss the tragedy. Students mentioned the television footage of Palestinians dancing in the streets, and one student asked why people in the Middle East hate Americans. Two Muslim students in the class had been silent, but then one spoke up.

“She said, ‘I’m from the Middle East. I don’t believe in violence; I don’t believe in terrorism.’ And she began to cry, as did the other student,” Buckley said.

Speakers from the University included Associated Students, Inc. President Artemio Pimentel and University Staff Assembly President Thomas Matlock.

Matlock, a retired U.S. personnel sergeant, said the terrorism hit home when the Pentagon was struck. Matlock encouraged the audience to donate blood or to send money to the Red Cross.

ASI is also helping by sponsoring a blood drive Sept. 18-19, Pimentel said.

Shirley Uplinger, vice president of Student Affairs, said the University was trying to help students and faculty members by working to ensure that the campus is secure and by providing counselors. Small groups led by the counselors were available immediately following the convocation.

The hour-long convocation was closed by Gerth, who brought attention to the diversity on campus.

“We are a multi-cultural community, and the diversity is splendidly reflected in this room,” he said.

Following the ceremony, students were able to write messages to the friends and relatives of those killed in the terrorist attacks. The papers will be bound and sent to Washington, D.C. and New York, Uplinger said. Tables with the papers will be set up in various locations on campus throughout the week so that individuals can offer their sympathy and support.

The speakers encouraged students and faculty members to join together as a community.

“We cannot allow the heinous actions of this tragedy to send us into a tailspin of horrible actions against our fellow citizens,” Pimentel said.