September
28, 2005
FROM: Michael F. Adams, President
RE: Hurricane Relief Efforts
_______________________________________
We in the University of Georgia community could never have been prouder than
in recent weeks as hundreds, even thousands, joined together to assist our
neighbors in need from the hurricane disasters. University students, faculty
and staff were joined by volunteers, representatives of public agencies and
local businesses to meet a wide variety of needs.
In addition to many independent efforts by students, faculty, and staff, two
UGA/American Red Cross shelters were made ready for hurricane evacuees. Although
the Ramsey Center shelter was not activated, the University’s Rock Eagle
4-H Center at Eatonton provided shelter to more than 600 evacuees from central
New Orleans, operating from Sunday, September 4 through Thursday, September
22. Many of our guests were literally plucked from their rooftops by helicopter
after spending days in chest-and-neck-deep water. They were grateful to be
dry and secure in Georgia and have now moved on to the next stage of their
lives.
To try to extend individual thanks to the many involved brings the risk of
omitting someone, and if that occurs, please accept my sincere apology. But
I think it is important to extend the thanks of the University community to
those who stepped up above and beyond the call of duty to render assistance
on behalf of the institution to those in need. Many of those who helped at
Rock Eagle also were of tremendous assistance in our on-campus efforts, and
vice versa.
Opal Haley, director of the Office of Security Preparedness, and her staff
provided extraordinary leadership through this crisis, coordinating shelter
planning at both the Ramsey Center and Rock Eagle. Opal served as the liaison
between the American Red Cross, facilities coordinators at both locations,
and UGA senior administration.
Arch Smith, Associate State 4-H Leader at Rock Eagle, and his staff, particularly
Terri Camp and Andy Smith, were “in the trenches” daily. The entire
Rock Eagle staff represented the University of Georgia in an exemplary way.
State 4-H Leader Bo Ryles provided invaluable assistance. Other leadership
was drawn from across the University to assist with the Rock Eagle shelter.
Dr. Cheryl Dozier, assistant vice president for academic affairs at the Gwinnett
Center spent countless hours at the Rock Eagle shelter coordinating mental
health and social services; Pat Allen, director of UGA-community relations
and Vanessa Williams Smith, associate dean of students assisted in the coordination
of volunteers.
The UGA team leaders of the Crisis Response Team included
Dr. Amos Zeichner from the Psychology Department, Dr. Jerry
Gale, Child and Family Development, Family and Consumer Sciences,
and Dr. Nancy Williams, School of Social Work. Many of the
CRT volunteers included students from these three departments
and alumni. Over 300 mental health assessments were completed
and over 400 individuals and family were served by this team
of over 100 social workers, psychologists and therapists
and students.
Nancy McDuff and her staff in Admissions processed more than 300 inquiries,
resulting in some 135 offers of admission and some 65 enrollees. This was done
in a short period of time under the duress of missing records and spotty communications
into the storm zone. The graduate admissions office and their colleagues in
the schools and colleges also worked with a number of graduate student transients
and transfers to UGA. Our thanks also to Rodney Bennett and the Student Affairs
staff; Susan Little and the Financial Aid staff; the Bursar’s office;
the Registrar’s office; and certainly to the Parents and Families Association
for providing monetary assistance to help our new students meet financial needs.
Last but not least in this regard, particular thanks to our faculty and staff
who have welcomed these students by working one-on-one with them to get them
situated and help them catch up, and to the student mentors who helped them
adjust.
Although the Ramsey Center was not activated as an emergency shelter, nonetheless
it was made ready to go in fine fashion per the Red Cross’ disaster plan.
Among those deserving our thanks for these efforts—many of whom also
contributed to efforts at Rock Eagle—are Ralph Johnson and the Physical
Plant staff; Jim Day and the Housing staff; Mike Floyd and the Food Services
staff; Barbara White and the EITS staff; Jane Russell, Matt Hackett and the
staff at the Ramsey Center; George Stafford of Auxiliary and Administrative
Services; Ron Hamlin and the Campus Transit staff, George Francisco and the
College of Pharmacy staff and students; and Jimmy Williamson and the UGA Police
Department. Maria Kuhn of the Environmental Safety Division coordinated pet
sheltering efforts, with assistance from Steve Harvey and Cheri Roberts of
the College of Veterinary Medicine. The cooperation of the Athens-Clarke County
mayor and the police and fire departments is greatly appreciated.
A number of significant fundraising efforts took place. The UGA Athletic Association
coordinated and UGA football fans donated more than $54,000 at the Georgia-South
Carolina game on September 10. Other significant funds drives were coordinated
through the UGA Student Government Association and Volunteer UGA. And, more
than $40,000 in unsolicited contributions were made to the 4-H Foundation earmarked
for the Rock Eagle evacuees.
Through it all, there were many senior administrators, especially Senior Vice
Presidents Arnett Mace and Hank Huckaby, along with officials at the Board
of Regents and the leadership of the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, whose support and cooperation in cutting red tape was vital.
There are numerous others outside the University who worked
in concert to make these efforts successful. Again at the
risk of leaving someone out, but with the best of intentions
in recognizing those who contributed, our thanks go to the
following: Wesley Willis and the Putnam County Emergency
Management Agency; Ginny Hogan, Harold Smith and other American
Red Cross volunteers from the Central Georgia Chapter; Ryan
Logan, Jennifer Bridges and other Red Cross volunteers from
the East Georgia Chapter; Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills
and staff; Charlotte Green and the Putnam County Health Department;
Darlene Roberts and the Putnam County Department of Family
and Children Services; the Georgia Department of Labor; the
Veteran’s Administration; the Council on Aging; Legal
Aid; the Morgan County EMA; the Hancock County Fire Department;
CVS pharmacy, which filled more than 800 free prescriptions;
Mike Faulk and Shopper’s Pharmacy of Eatonton, who
filled emergency prescriptions in the early morning hours
of opening day at Rock Eagle; the Pilot Club of Eatonton;
Eatonton Nursing Home; Putnam General Hospital; the Eatonton
Police Department; Eatonton/Putnam County Rescue; the Putnam
County Fire Department; the Morgan County Fire Department;
Jasper County EMA; Baldwin County EMA; Putnam County EMS,
Putnam County Transit; Putnam County Board of Education;
Putnam County Christian Outreach; Putnam County Recreation
Department; Putnam County Board of Commissioners; the City
of Eatonton; Georgia State Patrol; Georgia Department of
Agriculture; Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia
Department of Motor Vehicles; Newton County EMA; Reynolds
Plantation; Georgia College and State University, which provided
computers and student assistants; Rick King who coordinated
the Crisis Response Team and related volunteers; Madeline
van Dyck who set up a community housing clearance process
to match evacuees with offers of housing; hundreds of faith-based
groups, local churches, and local volunteers whose financial,
physical, and emotional support was important for the evacuees
and caregivers.
This list is extensive, but admittedly may yet be incomplete. However, it emphasizes
the magnitude of this effort – truly a community coming together to meet
the needs of their fellow citizens. To all mentioned here and all others who
assisted, the University of Georgia expresses sincere, deepest gratitude.
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