#BulldogStrong: Rallying Together After Hurricane Helene

Last Friday seems like a lifetime ago.  When the infamous Helene tore through the Carolinas, our beloved campus sustained real damage.  Scores of trees were felled, roads washed out, roofs leaked, fences were decimated, and we lost power.  It was worse, much worse, for many of our friends, neighbors, and colleagues throughout the western part of the state.  For them, and for any in our Gardner-Webb community with ties to those devastated communities, we are in sustained prayer.

Four days later, we are still cleaning up.  Although power was thankfully restored to our campus before noon on Sunday, there are many households throughout Boiling Springs and beyond that are still without lights, hot water, refrigeration, and the daily staples that we so frequently take for granted.  For them, we need to rally and offer assistance when and however we can.

I know you have all seen it, because I have…so many people—some familiar to us, others strangers—have raced to serve.  Our University Police kept our operations safe and orderly throughout the long weekend.  Our dining staff kept the campus population well fed, even though that same staff suffered damages and losses to their own properties.  Our grounds crew has been quick to address the widespread damage to facilities and trees.  Our housing staff kept a watchful eye on GWU’s residential population to ensure everyone’s wellbeing.  Bulldogs helping Bulldogs. 

It will take some time before everything—physical and emotional—is back to normal.  But I have already seen the resilience, the strength, and even the good humor of our Gardner-Webb family.  We’ll get back to a 100%.  It’s good to get classes going again; and, yes, we will be demonstrating grace and exercising sensitivity during that process.  It will be good to get canceled events—performing arts, academic recognitions, Dawg Day, and athletic competitions—back on the calendar.  There is healing in all of that.

Let’s do keep those most affected by the storm and its aftermath in our thoughts and prayers.  Let’s do take time in the coming days to thank the first responders, the linemen, the university staff, and all those who rushed to the aid of others.  Kim and I thank them, and we thank you for your patience, your support, and your kindness as our community revives and resumes its mission.  With God’s blessing, we’ll all get through this together.

With profound appreciation,

Bill

Dr. William M. Downs
President