Please read this note for a message from President Lambert regarding the Elon community's response to the Gulf Coast hurricane disaster...
To: Members of the Elon community
Our hearts are broken as we learn more about the continuing disaster on the Gulf Coast. The devastation to lives and property, and the human misery seems beyond our capacity to understand.
Many members of our own community are dealing with the tragedy on a personal level. About two dozen students are from the affected areas and several faculty and staff members have family who are displaced from their homes and livelihoods.
In keeping with Elon’s mission and our long tradition of community service, we are called to action. Chaplain Richard McBride set the tone at this week’s Chapel service in a special prayer. He reminded us that it is difficult for the victims to have hope at this difficult time, so it is up to us to hope for them. Already there are good signs of hope and action on our campus.
Smith Jackson, vice president for student life, is organizing a variety of efforts to raise money immediately. Please see this Web site for details on those efforts: http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Note.aspx?id=22171
In addition, a special Web site is being created to serve as a central information source for Elon’s Katrina relief efforts. It will be at: http://www.elon.edu/katrina
In addition, Elon has enrolled three students who intended to begin their college careers at Tulane University, but instead were evacuated just before the storm hit. Please join me in warmly welcoming those students into our academic community.
We are also in direct contact with Dillard University, a sister United Church of Christ institution located in New Orleans. In coming days, we will determine the best way we can help Dillard deal with the immediate crisis and make plans for the future.
Elon responded quickly and generously following the 9/11 tragedy and last year’s Southeast Asian tsunami. We understand our roles as global citizens and take to heart our responsibilities to reach out in times of crisis, building on the strengths and assets of the Elon community. Please join me in doing all you can.
Sincerely,
Leo M. Lambert
President