Campus & Community

Students Will Share Experiences with Puerto Rico Recovery Efforts

Tuesday, January 23, 2018, By Kelly Homan Rodoski

In mid-December, 23 鶹ƵUniversity students and two advisors traveled to Puerto Rico to help with the recovery efforts after two powerful hurricanes, Irma and Maria, devastated the island last fall.

Group of young people in matching T-shirts in sunny climate

The group of students and advisors in Puerto Rico in mid-December

The group spent a week working with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, helping with clean up and demolition efforts and delivering supplies. Hendricks Chapel and Student Association co-sponsored the trip.

Over the next two weeks, students who participated in the trip will share their experiences with the University community, and talk about how they plan to continue their efforts, in a series of public presentations.

The presentations will be held on campus at the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday, Jan. 23, from noon-1 p.m. in the Noble Room in Hendricks Chapel;
  • Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 7-8 p.m. in Kittredge Auditorium in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall; and
  • Sunday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m., during the Dean’s Convocation in Hendricks Chapel.

“The trip took us to four different neighborhoods (barrios) near Carolina, Puerto Rico, giving us just a glimpse into a community’s story that experienced Hurricane Maria,” says Devon Bartholomew, Baptist Campus Chaplain and one of the group’s advisors. “That glimpse has changed me and all of our participants, we must support and assist our fellow citizens and peers of Puerto Rico.”

Refreshments will be provided after each presentation. For more information, contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901.

鶹Ƶ 鶹ƵUniversity

Founded in 1870, 鶹ƵUniversity is a private international research university dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching excellence, rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11 academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence in the liberal arts, sciences and professional disciplines that prepares students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main campus and extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three continents. Syracuse’s student body is among the most diverse for an institution of its kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent all 50 states and more than 100 countries. 鶹Ƶalso has a long legacy of supporting veterans and is home to the nationally recognized Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their families.