Kansas mayor to talk on “green” rebuilding after ’07 tornado – Nov. 30

The mayor of a Kansas town that turned itself into a “green” community following a tornado in 2007 visits Elon University this month to talk about the challenges and successes his town discovered throughout the recovery and rebuilding process.

Who: Bob Dixson, mayor of Greensburg, Kan.
When: Tuesday, November 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: McKinnon Hall (Inside the Moseley Center)
Entry: Free and open to the public

On May 4, 2007, a tornado destroyed most of Greensburg. With sustained winds of more than 200 mph and 1.7 miles wide, 95 percent of the buildings and homes were leveled and totally destroyed. Eleven lives were lost.

Dixson will describe how residents pulled together as a community and decided to rebuild with environmental stewardship in mind. The community began the planning process with a vision statement that reflects its character.

The Office of Sustainability, General Studies, Residence Life and the Department of Environmental Studies are sponsoring Dixson’s visit.

For more information on Dixson’s visit, contact Associate Professor Kathy Gallucci at 336-278-6180 or gallucci@elon.edu, or Elaine Durr, Elon’s sustainability coordinator, at 336-278-5229 or edurr@elon.edu.