University Park, Pa. -- In the midst of helping their families recover from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, seven students from Xavier University in New Orleans who are studying at Penn State this semester as part of a cooperative program between the two institutions shared their stories as victims of the hurricane Wednesday (Sept. 7) in Robb Hall of the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.
"Everything in our lives and our families' lives became uncertain," said third-year doctoral student Larry Napoleon Jr. in a statement on behalf of the seven students. "During the days following the hurricane, as our city was flooded beyond imagination, we realized we'd have to prepare for the possibility of family relocating to State College. On Thursday we reached out to the University for help and the very next day we sat in Old Main plotting a course for recovery. The outpouring of support from the University and the community at large has been both humbling and encouraging."
Penn State's partnership with Xavier, the only historically black Catholic college or university in the Western Hemisphere, began in 2003 as a doctoral program established by Murry Nelson, head of the curriculum and instruction department at Penn State, to increase the diversity level in the College of Education and to provide additional opportunities to Xavier students. Three students enrolled for the first year, and enrollment has grown to seven this year.
Penn State's ongoing partnership with Xavier also outlines summer research opportunities at University Park whereby a Xavier undergraduate student conducts research with a member of the Penn State faculty. Although the program also includes an exchange of faculty, no Xavier faculty are at University Park currently, and no Penn State faculty were at Xavier when Katrina hit.
Napoleon said he and his fellow New Orleanians ask members of the Penn State community for their continued support through the channels of donations established by the University to distribute donations to students in need. He also urged students affected by the hurricane to utilize the support being offered by Penn State.
"There is help waiting for you in every form imaginable," Napoleon added. "This is by no means just about the seven of us, rather every Penn State student who has been affected. We know it's a tough and isolating time, but action has been taken to ensure that you are neither alone or without help as you try to adjust to life after this tragedy while still trying to be a productive student."
Vicky Triponey, vice president for student affairs, said the Xavier students came not only to coordinate resources for their families' recovery efforts, but for all those in the Penn State community affected by the hurricane.
"They came to us not only about how to help them, but as members of the community trying to figure out how to help others affected," Triponey said. "We have been touched by their concern and their determination to reach out to others affected by the hurricane."
The Xavier students studying at Penn State all were born and raised in Louisiana, and all of them now have family coming to State College.
"My mother, my sisters and brothers and I all lost our homes," said Michelle Early Torregano, a third-year doctoral student. "Our lives have changed. But it has been a blessing to be in State College to have a place for my family to come."
Torregano added that some local apartment complexes have offered special assistance for families relocating to State College due to Katrina. She also said that department head Nelson has been an invaluable help in their ordeal.
"Murry Nelson reached out to us before we had even expressed what was going on at home," she said. "He has temporarily relieved us of our teaching assistant duties and is helping us facilitate the move of our families here."
All of the students want to return to New Orleans next year to help rebuild the city they love.
"We have faith our city will be rebuilt," Napoleon said. "I believe that the training we are receiving here at Penn State, while not our original plan, will lend itself to us helping in rebuilding the city."
Penn State and local community agencies continue to work with these students to provide essential needs and also to facilitate the transport of their family members -- left homeless by Katrina -- to State College.
The University is working with several local agencies to establish a process for community members to make cash contributions for students affected by the hurricane. Gifts of cash and checks, with a notation that the contribution is for "local Katrina assistance," should be sent to Albright Bethune United Methodist Church, PO Box 153, State College, PA 16804.
Additionally, Penn State has established Lion Support as a resource center to help coordinate communication among Penn State students, staff and community members affected by the crisis. Those affected and those looking to offer support should contact Lion Support at Lionsupport@sa.psu.edu or (814) 863-2020.
The primary contact for Penn State students and their families affected by Katrina is the local chapter of the American Red Cross, which is prepared to make all services available as if a disaster occurred in the local community. Students should contact Holly Hawkins at (814) 237-3162 for assistance from the Red Cross and its affiliated service agencies.
Community members who wish to make a donation to local service agencies should note that most have significant supply of various goods on hand and instead encourage cash contributions.
For more information on Penn State's response to Hurricane Katrina, visit http://live.psu.edu/story/13357 online.