PSU offers support for students, faculty affected by tornado

  Tuesday, April 29, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University is reaching out to offer support to students and faculty from Quapaw, Oklahoma and Baxter Springs, Kansas, in the aftermath of the Sunday’s tornadoes that left a wake of destruction in its path.

“We have several students and faculty who either live in these towns or have family there,” said Pittsburg State President Steve Scott. “With the semester drawing to a close, we want to make certain their immediate focus is on recovery, so we’re working with them to make arrangements for their academic schedules.”

The tornado struck the towns early Sunday evening, killing one and leaving a wake of destruction in its path.

Two members of Pittsburg State’s university police department were among those who helped with the initial response effort in Baxter Springs Sunday night, and several students and faculty are volunteering to help with recovery.

The destruction hits close to home for President Scott who grew up not far from the tornado’s path in Baxter Springs.

“As a kid who grew up in Baxter, it’s tough to see this happen to my hometown,” said Scott. “I walked through those neighborhoods every day on the way to grade school. My heart goes out to everyone affected by Sunday’s storms.”