Joshua

Rosenthal

Josh Rosenthal's passion for public policy served as the driving force behind his studies and ideas.

Remembered by his mother, Marilyn, for his optimistic goals and grasp on reality, Rosenthal graduated from the University in 1979 with a bachelor's in political science.

Following his years at the University, Rosenthal went on to get a master's in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.

Named a Truman Fellow at Princeton, Rosenthal was recognized for his dedication to public service, leadership qualities and scholastic achievements.

Rosenthal, born June 4, 1957, was senior vice president and an investment portfolio manager of the firm Fiduciary Trust Company International in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. He also served on the University's Investment Advisory Committee.

Rosenthal is survived by Marilyn, a medical sociology professor at University of Michigan at Dearborn, his father Skip, sister Helen and his nieces Madeleine and Alexandra Morino.

Christina

Ryook

It could be something as little as buying a bottle of laundry detergent or as large as coordinating an event for the Korean Students Association, but Christina Ryook's thoughtfulness showed in her actions.

Ryook's freshman-year roommate, Alysa Ullman, remembered exchanging pre-move-in phone calls. "Just from the first conversation I knew she was a very thoughtful person," she said.

The Ohioan Ryook offered to bring large appliances to outfit their Mary Markley Residence Hall room so that Ullman, an Arizona native, would not have to worry about traveling with them. On Ryook's list was a large bottle of Tide to share with her roommate. During their freshman year, the door to their room was always open to friends who needed advice about anything from boyfriends to school, Ullman said. "She was always kind of like the mother hen of our hallway. ... It was just this joke that the two of us never, ever slept."

"She was like the big sister I never had," said Kyon Holman, a friend who met Ryook in Markley. Ryook, three months the elder, taught Holman the Korean word for older sister, "uhn-nee". She, in turn, began calling Holman little brother in Korean. They tricked a friend into believing they were related, despite Ryook's roots and Holman's black heritage.

Meta

Fuller Waller

When American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon one year ago yesterday, University alum Meta Fuller Waller was working at her desk.

Waller, 60, served for 12 years as special programs manager for the Secretary of the U.S. Army and had graduated from the University in 1973 with a general studies degree. She earned a master's degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

A resident of Alexandria, Va., Waller held a life-long interest in civil rights and attended the United Nations Conference on Racism in South Africa shortly before her death.

Waller, who had endured the death of her husband and daughter, remained hopeful and strong.

Friends said Waller was looking forward to traveling and experiencing life outside of the Pentagon.

Known to family members as a talented storyteller and writer, Waller was considering retirement.

Frequent travels to Martha's Vineyard were the inspiration for many of Waller's creative works.

Meredith Whalen

"I take each day as it comes, and in some ways it's hard to believe it's been a whole year. It's been forever," said Patricia Whalen, mother of Sept. 11 victim and University alum Meredith Whalen.

Meredith, a 2000 Business School graduate, worked as a research analyst for Fred Alger Management Inc. on the 93rd floor of World Trade Center Tower One.

"They've never found any of her remains," Whalen said. "I thought right from the beginning - she was at the point of impact - that she probably died instantly. So I was okay with thinking that."

The University plans to install a marble bench in Meredith's memory on the grounds of the Business School.

"I was going to pay for the bench, but (the University) wanted to do it," Whalen said.

Shortly after Meredith's death Whalen created a scholarship fund at the University and the Canton Community Foundation in her daughters' name. Whalen received donations from friends, strangers and Meredith's former employer.

"They helped to make it a very sizeable scholarship fund, so it should go on for several years."

Mark

Zeplin

Mark Zeplin had just bought a house where he and his wife Debra were planning on raising their two young sons in, his friend Mitch Hasenbind said.

He loved Bruce Springsteen, Michigan sports and was a true family man, said Joslin Zeplin as she described her brother.

"He had a zest for life," Joslin said.