The devastation that has struck the Gulf Coast, and especially Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama in the last two days is almost impossible to fathom. Few of us can recall any natural disaster in this country so dire. We are only now beginning to understand the scope of the situation, but it is already clear that the death toll will climb; many are without electrical power—and will be so for days and weeks with the most serious health consequences; and hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes and all their possessions. It will be many, many months before this emergency is over, and countless families will bear permanent scars.

There are a number of us on campus as well as many alumnae who are from the Gulf Coast area, or have family and friends there. As time goes by, we will learn of many ways that we can assist. But for the moment, the nation’s emergency services and aid organizations are fully engaged. The U. S. Navy is sending ships with emergency supplies, and fourteen federal agencies are mobilized. Our understanding from the Red Cross is that the most urgent need at this time is money to enable these organizations to assist as needed. Accordingly, tomorrow we will launch a lifeboat in the Prothro Atrium, to receive contributions to the aid effort. The lifeboat will sail for a week, until next Thursday. Please join us at 11:45 a.m. in the Atrium if you can, for a moment of silence tomorrow as we officially launch the lifeboat.

Our lifeboat will be a symbol of our concern for everyone who is suffering loss, hunger, thirst, pain and homelessness as a result of Hurricane Katrina’s wrath.

— Elisabeth Muhlenfeld, President Sweet Briar College