Alcorn Cares: Cleaning up after the storm
Administrators, students and alumni organize relief efforts for Hattiesburg
Alcorn State, Miss. (February 12, 2013) –Vice President for Student Affairs E. Cheryl Ponder said Alcorn students rallied in her office to discuss clean up relief efforts for the City of Hattiesburg after an EF-4 tornado tore through the city on Sunday.
After seeing the devastation on television and hearing reports through various news outlets, students urged the Alcorn family to take action.
“We are currently collecting non-perishable items until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 13,” says 22-year-old Andre Marshall from Jackson, Mississippi. “Because the Alcorn family cares, on Thursday, February 14, we will leave campus at 6:00 a.m. and head to Hattiesburg to assist with clean up efforts.”
While speaking with Alcorn leadership about the civic engagement project, Ponder emphasized just how many students wanted to help those affected, but were having trouble finding a way to do so.
“Our students have big hearts,” added Ponder overcome with emotion and pride. “And understand Alcorn’s social responsibility to care for those in need. We responded quickly by organizing a volunteer relief effort for student involvement.”
Thus far, more than 400 bottles of water and non-perishable food has been donated, said Ponder. To get involved the Alcorn family is encouraged to drop off donations to the Division of Student Affairs located in the James L. Bolden building. Work gloves, masks, large garbage bags, and cleaning supplies are also needed.
The Alcorn bus loaded with supplies and volunteers will depart campus early Thursday morning on February 14. You want to help, contact the Division of Student Affairs at 601.877.6380.
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Alcorn State University is a premier comprehensive land-grant university that develops diverse students into globally-competitive leaders, and applies scientific research through collaborative partnerships that benefit the surrounding communities, state, nation, and world.
