Farmingdale State University of New York, in conjunction with the Long Island September 11th Memorial Committee, recently revealed the designs of five finalists for a memorial and resource center to be created on the university's campus.

The memorial will honor Long Islanders who died in the September 11 attacks. Earlier this year architects were asked to submit designs that included presentation materials and a model as well as a piece of steel salvaged from Ground Zero and donated by the Widows and Victims' Families Association. Five finalists received citations from the Long Island Chapter American Institute of Architects, who is also involved with this project, as well as cash awards.

Amit Bandyopadhyay, P.E. serves as the organizer of the competition and advisor to the committee and is also in the Department of Architecture and Construction Management at Farmingdale State. He said a decision on the winner is expected to be made by the end of October.

"A professional jury of registered architects came up with the five finalists," Dr. Bandyopadhyay said. "They spent significant time discussing among themselves before finalizing the five designs."

The $8 million project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will be the construction of a monument on the university's seven-acre campus. Its purpose is to create an area of reflection for local survivors and families of the deceased. Long Island September 11th Memorial Committee President Robert DeSilva explained the reasoning behind the chosen location.

"The location of this memorial is so important because it will reside in a place that transcends the borders of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, unifying all of Long Island as one community who can reflect together on a tragedy they experienced together," DeSilva said.

Sharing the fundraising for the project as well as serving as committee co-chairmen are the Town of Babylon, Huntington and Oyster Bay supervisors. Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto also spoke about the unique qualities of this particular memorial.

"While there are other monuments on Long Island to commemorate those who were lost on September 11, this memorial and resource center will not only honor the memories of those Long Islanders whose lives were so tragically lost on September 11, but will pay tribute to the valiant contributions made by all those Long Islanders who participated in the response and recovery efforts at Ground Zero," Venditto said.

Phase two will be the renovation of Cutler Hall. Once complete, the building will provide a resource center for those seeking information about the events and aftermath of September 11. This facility will also be utilized by the university to further advance educational goals. Farmingdale State University President Jonathan Gibralter, Ph.D., who is also on the September 11 Memorial Committee said that the university is committed to memorializing the victims of September 11.

"The faculty and staff of Farmingdale State have contributed in many ways to honoring those who perished on September 11," Dr. Gibralter said. "I am so pleased that the campus will continue to help by creating this memorial."

In addition to the unveiling of the designs, unexpected generous donations were made. The announcement that actor Steve Guttenberg agreed to serve as an honorary chairman for this project was also made. The committee noted that other celebrity endorsements are also being sought.

For more information on this organization or to make a donation, visit www.li911memorial.com.