Calm after the storm
Posted: May 14, 2009[cincopa belt2 10479153]
The storm system that moved through Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois on May 13 left the Kirksville community devastated as at least four tornados were reported in Adair County. Numerous members of the A.T. Still University family were affected by the tornado’s destruction. Many KCOM students, ATSU faculty, staff, and their families who make their home on the northeast side of Kirksville received the brunt of the damage.
“I can only imagine what the families were going through as the tornado raged through their homes. However, I can say that the steely resolve in friends, old and new, demonstrated that for at least a night, we will get through this,” said John Thurman, OMS I, class president. “I remember when I interviewed here that there was something different about this place. We students can complain about the details of being in medical school, but the one thing that remains true is the compassionate and humane person that decides to attend KCOM.”
Student Services has provided the following resources for supporting members of the University in the relief effort.
Financial Resources:
• ATSU Financial Services, coordinating help for impacted students, contact Mason Vann at jvann@atsu.edu
• Student Government Association emergency grants available, contact Ashley Warren at swarren@atsu.edu
• Emergency grants available from Student Services, contact Wendy Pinkerton at wpinkerton@atsu.edu
• Financial Contributions accepted for disaster relief at MOStudentServices@atsu.edu
• Student Advocate Association financial support, contact Mandy Wanzek at Wanzek6@gmail.com
Other Resources:
• Counseling Services, contact Thom VanVleck at TVanVleck@atsu.edu
• Housing support, contact Ashley Murphy at AMurphy@atsu.edu
• Online Google interactive volunteer of any or all other services, contact SGA’s Kristin Yates at KYates@atsu.edu
• Student Advocate Association, contact Mandy Wanzek at Wanzek6@gmail.com
“One of the enduring values of A.T. Still University is compassion,” said ATSU President Jack Magruder. “I know that everyone in the ATSU community will join me in reaching out and helping in any way possible.”