Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photo Courtesy of nasa.gov

Disaster

By Laura Dudley

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States on Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, leaving everything along its path in a state of unimaginable destruction and devastation. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama suffered the worst damage from the storm, and the city of New Orleans was particularly affected by the disaster. The human death toll is rising, and the estimated cost of damages is over $100 billion.

The impact of the hurricane has been felt by millions of people across the nation and the world, and the Virginia Wesleyan College community has also been affected.

“I just find it hard to fathom the devastation of this event for those three states,” said Reverend Bob “Chappy” Chapman, chaplain. “It’s a natural disaster like I’ve never seen in my lifetime in the United States.”

Many students have had similar responses.

“I thought it was devastating,” said junior Megan Riley. “I saw the images on television, and it’s just devastating.”

Yet Wesleyan is taking several important steps to aid in the hurricane relief effort. President Billy Greer has invited students from Dillard University in New Orleans and students from other colleges and universities in the affected areas to attend VWC this fall, tuition free.

“It just seemed like the right thing to do,” Greer said.

Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner has urged state colleges and universities to help students displaced by the hurricane. Many Virginia schools are responding positively, as are institutions across the country.

“We have certainly put our institution’s name out there for any students living on the Gulf who might be interested in continuing their college education while their school is closed,” Greer said. “There’s a possibility some of these institutions could be closed for the entire year.”

David Buckingham, dean of students and vice president of student affairs, has been in conversation with the parents of students interested in coming to VWC. The three potential students are from Tulane University, Loyola University of New Orleans and Dillard University.

One mother told Buckingham that her daughter, who attends Loyola University of New Orleans, only has the clothes on her back and her laptop computer.

“They’ve gone through a lot,” Buckingham said. “I can appreciate where they are. They’ve gone through a trauma.”

VWC students are also reaching out to help those hurricane victims in need. The Wesleyan community made 177 health kits with over 1,416 hygiene items that were organized by students. The kits contained hygiene supplies and were given to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to be distributed to the hurricane victims.

Freshman Rich Kuempel volunteered to put the kits together. He himself experienced the effects of Hurricane Charlie, and he feels a special connection to those who have experienced Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s pretty sad because people lost everything. There are people dying,” Kuempel said. “I want to make the people feel that there are people out there who care about them and want to supply them with their needs.”

Diane Hotaling, director of Community Service, is leading the VWC community in the hurricane relief effort. Beyond the health kits, her future goal is to bring groups of student teams to the hurricane disaster sites over winter session in January and two more times later in the year.

“Students are looking for a place to plug in,” Hotaling said.

Another way students, faculty and staff are participating in the hurricane relief effort is by donating money to the Red Cross. Over $500 was collected in the Bookstore and Office of Community Service. Several fraternities and sororities have joined in on this effort.

“All the images on television and in the paper really touched me and the girls in ASA,” said Millicent Lynch, president of Alpha Sigma Alpha. “We just really felt like we should step up and do something and try to help as much as we could.”

Students are helping.

“I think it’s important that as college students we connect to something greater than ourselves,” said senior Martha Blevins. “It’s all about community. It’s making a huge difference.”