In the aftermath of Katrina, Southwestern is especially mindful of what it means to be a community especially a "liberal arts community whose values and actions encourage contributions toward the well-being of humanity." If you are interested in how Southwestern is responding to this crisis, you may read President Schrum's letter to the Southwestern community or read SU's Hurricane Katrina Relief Update. Those suffering from the devastation remain in our thoughts and prayers. Nearly 100 members of the Southwestern community live in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Below are notes sent to the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations by alumni and current parents of Southwestern University. If you should know any information about a member of the SU community living in the areas hit by Katrina, including your own whereabouts, please contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at alumni@southwestern.edu. The University will do its best to keep members of our community in contact with one another during this tragic time.

Everyone is safe and out of the City now. N. Frank Elliot III '88 (9/1/05)

David and I are great. He is an emergency medicine doctor down there and is helping with the relief efforts. I am here in Dallas with my parents trying to get organized. We have so much to be thankful for, we got out of there with our dog and every important thing.. Hopefully, because I don't have a job right now, I can help the Red Cross a little here at Reunion Arena-we'll see. Thanks for thinking of us. Molly Bryant '96 and David Bryant '95 (9/2/05)

I live in Lafayette, LA and am in a prime position to help refugees. Please let me know if any SU alumni have been relocated from New Orleans to Lafayette. Thank you. Misty Karin '96 (9/2/05)

Thank you for the expression of concern for us. We are fine in Lafayette with no physical damage at all. We are Blessed. All our thoughts now are centered on all the people that have come our way. All that I have talked with are in some state of shock and disbelief. All have a look of anguish, fear and sorrow. True reality of the situation is beginning to sink in now. They will be allowed to return at some point relatively soon but only to see first hand and to try to salvage anything possible. Most in the hard hit area will have NOTHING left. Every one in Lafayette seems to be helping the best we can. These people need every conceivable item, but more importantly they need support and an opportunity to see that there is a future for them. I have talked with 10-12 people that are trying to relocate to a new area because they know that nothing is left back home. The people are holding up OK, but frustration is mounting. You can see in the grocery that the locals are buying extra items for others and we are all trying to get supplies to the needy. There has been many acts of kindness by businesses here with discounts and even giveaways for our visitors. We are all beginning to realize that this situation will be with us a good while. Everyone seems to be trying to maintain a positive attitude. We are all simply praying for each other. It appears that for now the most needed item is money and it seems that the American Red Cross is the best able to handle this. Thank you again for your concern and prayers. David Granberry, parent of Angela Granberry '06 (9/3/05)

We are very busy in Sulphur and Lake Charles providing assistance to thousands of evacuees. Donations to the American Red Cross, the Sulphur Ministerial Alliance, or the City of Lake Charles Hurricane Assistance Fund are greatly appreciated. For more info. call Fr. Hal Hutchison, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Sulphur, LA. 337-625-4288. Thanks for any help. Meg Lovejoy, mom of Sarah Clevenger '09 (9/5/05)

I am about to settle in Lake Charles. I'll let you know the address when I get organized. - Dane Evans '66 (9/9/05)

I live outside of Jackson, MS and it has been a hectic and trying 3 weeks. I work as a paramedic and nurse for the ambulance service that has divisions in Jackson and on the coast. I have been to the coast several times evacuating critical patients before and after the hurricane. It has been comforting knowing that all of us in the affected area are in your thoughts. Thank you for all of your support. Donna Hastings '89

Things are settling down a little here in Baton Rouge. I wanted to let SU know that we appreciated your messages to us during the hurricanes. We were blessed with no damages. All we experienced were power outages (1 day during Katrina and 1/2 day during Rita) and some sewer problems. It is going to take a good while for Baton Rouge to get back to normal because we have so many people from New Orleans that are staying here until they can go back home. - Allan and Maria Breazeale, parents of: Robert A. Breazeale, II '08 (10/03/05)

Molly and I weathered the storms OK. During Katrina, I did emergency medicine work in New Orleans and am now working in an emergency department just outside New Orleans. We had to evacuate that hospital for Rita but are back up and running. Molly has been living in Houston. Her school in New Orleans had so many evacuated girls in Houston that she was asked to go there to teach for the rest of the fall semester. Hopefully our house will be OK for me to re-occupy next week. Others of our close friends from SU were not so fortunate. Thankfully we have only 7 weeks left in hurricane season. - Dave Bryant '95 (10/5/05)