The Day the Skies Went Silent: A 9/11 Tribute Featuring Ben Sliney

On September 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fury Lecture Hall, the College is pleased to present Ben Sliney, who served as the National Operations Manager of the FAA on September 11, 2001. Mr. Sliney, whose first day as National Operations Manager of the FAA began with 2 planes crashing into the twin towers, has a unique perspective on the events of September 11, 2001. 

Mr. Sliney in his first official act, ordered the full landing of the roughly 4,200 airplanes that were in the air at the time, an unprecedented judgement call and a decisive act in the chaos of that morning.

Mr. Sliney has worked as an air traffic controller and a lawyer. He is currently consulting as an air traffic control expert in the development of the next generation of ATC.

He served in an advisory role for the 2006 movie "United 93: before being cast in a small role as an air traffic controller. Later, the film's writer and director, Paul Greengrass, offered him the opportunity to play himself.

For more information about this event, please contact Rachel Lerner Colucci, Assistant Dean for Student Development at rachel.lerner@dc.edu or 845-848-5012.