I wanted to provide an update to the MAC Division about Rayna Andrews, a Xavier University senior who posted a request to the listserve through EK Daufin for a college to complete her education. 

 

I spoke to Rayna on Friday afternoon about attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Initially she had enrolled at the University of Houston, but classes had already started and she had a lot of make up work to do. Long story short, classes begin at UW Oshkosh on Wednesday and Rayna is on flying there right now.  The campus community really came together to get her there and set up.  Here are some of the things they have done to support her:

 

An Assistant Vice Chancellor provided airline travel to Appleton, WI (18 miles north of Oshkosh).  She also provided a laundry basket of toiletries, a backpack with notebooks, and a floor fan.

 

Housing has provided a single room for Rayna in the senior/graduate residence hall and the residence hall staff has contributed a TV, CD player, DVD player, new towels, linen, storage caddy.

 

Two nuns from Ghana who are new students provided a basket of toiletries.

 

A local florist is sending a bouquet of roses

 

All of this is awaiting Rayna in her room.

 

An alum has offered to purchase her books and supplies.

 

The Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving teams are creating a basket of snacks and goodies which they will deliver to Rayna later this week.

 

The Black Student Union will have a welcome reception for her at the first meeting tomorrow afternoon.

 

The Chair of the Journalism Department requested to meet her this afternoon to welcome her and ensure that she gets the classes she needs.  (Interestingly, the Radio/TV/Film Chair and Communication Dept Chair both wanted her in their departments...but Public Relations is a major in the journalism Department).

 

Most of all, the UW Oshkosh Foundation has started a Student Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund (letter to alumni and friends is below).  Thus far, only two students from New Orleans area universities have transferred to UW Oshkosh, and Rayna is the only student from the Gulf region so her needs will be met first.

 

Some of you have expressed a desire to send care packages.  They may be directed to the address below at the Division of Academic Support.

 

 

Dear UW Oshkosh Alumni and Friends,

 

Hurricane Katrina has devastated the US Gulf region, and resulted in utter destruction in New Orleans and the surrounding communities.  People are homeless, jobless, missing, separated from family members and grieving the deaths of their loved ones, while trying to determine and plan their future.  

 

Universities in New Orleans which opened their doors only a few weeks ago for the Fall semester have been forced to close them indefinitely.  This has displaced faculty, staff, administrators, and an estimated 75,000 plus students. 

 

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has reached out to displaced students by offering guaranteed admission and housing AND up to 12 out-of-state tuition waivers for students attending New Orleans area universities so that they may continue their education without interruption.  Additionally, our alma mater would like to assist these students with relocation expenses, tuition and fees, books, housing, clothing, meals and other expenses.  Our most immediate need is finding ways to assist Rayna Andrews, a public relations major in her final year of study, who is transferring to UW Oshkosh from Xavier University in New Orleans.  She and her family, like so many others, lost everything.  As you might imagine, this is a very difficult time for her; however, one of her priorities is to enroll at our alma mater, continue her studies, and hopefully, graduate this academic year. 

 

Dr. Muriel A. Hawkins, Assistant Vice Chancellor in the Division of Academic Support, spoke to Tom Keefe, President of the UW Oshkosh Foundation, Inc., and he has agreed to establish a "Student Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund" to assist Rayna, as well as other transfer students (to UW Oshkosh), with needs, as a result of  Katrina.

 

We are asking everyone to help by making a tax-deductible contribution for this worthy cause.  No contribution is too small.  If you would like to make a donation by mail, please print out a gift form to send along with your donation, which you may deliver or mail to the Foundation at the Oviatt House on campus. Online donations may also be made (securely), by completing the Foundation's online donation form.  Earmark your contribution to the Other category and specify "Student Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund" in the space provided.

 

Additionally, if you would like to send words of encouragement to Rayna you may address them to her at:

 

Rayna Andrews
c/o Division of Academic Support
Foundation Center
800 Algoma Boulevard
Oshkosh, WI  54901

The Black Student Union will welcome Rayna at their first meeting on Wednesday afternoon, as alumni, let us welcome her also through contributions and encouragement.

 

Your kindness and generosity is appreciated.

 

Sincerely,