Elon students, faculty and staff helped clear debris, trees and other material during an April 30 tornado clean-up service trip to Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C.
The Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement organized the service trip, after receiving a request from the university for assistance with clean up from damage caused by tornadoes in early April. Students, faculty and staff participated with other area schools and organizations, including N.C. State University.
More than 20 Elon students participated as well as a number of faculty and staff. Some participants drove their own cars and met the Elon group at the university.
Former Elon Chaplain Richard McBride joined the group as well as Shaunta Alvarez of Belk Library; Francois Masuka of the Isabella Cannon Center; and Frances Ward-Johnson from the School of Communications. Other staff who participated included: Jane Law of the Elon University School of Law; Judy Garcia, Technical Services; and Alex Nickodem of University Advancement.
Students included Trishelle Byrd, Casey Blackburn, Tavianna Williams, Brittany Walker, Brittany Wilkins, Brittany Carroll, Alicia Johnson, Megan Murray, Raven Manigault and Camille Hill.
“We were glad to be of assistance and contribute to helping rebuild their campus,” said Johnson, a sophomore and member of Elon’s Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Armed with garbage bags, wheel barrels, and gardening gloves, the Elon group pitched in where needed.
“It was disheartening to see all of the destruction on the campus,” said Ward-Johnson, an associate professor in the School of Communications. “But it was great to see how the cleanup efforts brought the community together as we met and worked alongside many others from the area.”
Shaw University suspended classes for the duration of the semester due to the extensive storm damage. Part of the student center’s roof was torn off, trees were uprooted and windows were blown out of several buildings. Despite the damage, Shaw held its graduation on May 7.
“We really appreciated Elon making the trip to our campus,” said Jeffrey Smith, vice president of Student Affairs and Administrative Services. “Our campus was hit hard, but we are receiving an outpouring of help from the community.”
Elon students and staff also make a service trip to Methodist University on April 23.
– Information provided by Frances Ward-Johnson, School of Communications