After the Storm: The University of Alabama

As a student of The University of Alabama, I did my best to embrace the complete academic experience.  I studied hard, made the honor roll, lived by my planner…and even timed myself walking from class to class.

Yes, I timed myself!

I would do this before the first day of school so that I would never be late.

This is how I first met Dr. Mark Nelson.  He stopped me in the hallway, asking if he could help me.  When I told him what I was doing, he gave me quite a surprised look.

Four years later, I would serve as president of the College of Communication and Information Sciences under Dr. Nelson.  I learned so much about leadership and about myself, and I grew tremendously because of it. 

It’s actually impossible not to grow when under the guidance of Dr. Nelson.  So it came as no surprise today when I received the latest issue of the Capstone Magazine from The University of Alabama, and inside was a message from Dr. Nelson, who is now the Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice Provost.

The fall 2011 issue is titled “After the Storm:  UA Students Respond with Heart and Passion.”

Remember back to April 25-28, 2011.  This is when an extremely large and violent tornado outbreak, popularly known as the 2011 Super Outbreak, occurred.

It was a large wedge tornado that tracked across Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at around 5:10p.m. on April 27^th.  The National Weather Service has determined the path length of this tornado to be 80.7 miles with a maximum damage path width of 1.5 miles.  The tornado’s most intense damage indicated peak winds of around 190mph.  It was then given a final rating of EF4.  Reports from Tuscaloosa indicated 43 people were killed, with more than 1000 injured.  This number included students from The University of Alabama.

The destruction was indescribable.  But the students and faculty have come together to pick up the pieces, learn from the experience and continue to grow from it.

Here is the letter written by Dr. Nelson.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

The compassion our UA family has displayed since the April 27 tornado has shown how our University community defines service to others.  In the days following the storm, UA students pulled together and exceeded all expectations for involvement and commitment to recovery.  The initiative our students displayed and their dedication to teamwork during the relief efforts have been meaningful examples of the invaluable learning that occurs outside the classroom experience.

Greek students took the lead on what began as a small operation in the Delta Kappa Epsilon house collecting donations, preparing food and delivering goods for use in Tuscaloosa’s recovery efforts.  Delivering more than 8,000 meals in one day, the students were told they contributed to one-fourth of the meals distributed in the city that day.  These student volunteers are a proud example of what the Division of Student Affairs aspires to do:  prepare students to be engaged citizens and selfless leaders.

Moving forward, we can be certain of opportunities throughout the Division for students to lead and learn from various service projects.  The Community Service Center has partnered with various agencies throughout Tuscaloosa to provide ongoing information and outlets for service.  The newest members of the UA family, this fall’s freshman class, have already been inspired by out student, staff and alumni commitment to acts of kindness within and around the University community.  While engaging with many of these students and families during move-in, I assured them of their ability to uphold our tradition of servant leadership.

As you read this issue of Capstone, I hope you are encouraged by the programs and initiatives within the Division of Student Affairs that touch lives far beyond the boundaries of campus.

So as a graduate of The University of Alabama...yes...I am left encouraged and extremely proud.