University makes seventh trip to assist rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina’s destruction
Fourteen students and three faculty members will travel to Biloxi, Miss., Saturday, May 8 to assist in the continued rebuilding efforts following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. The group will return Saturday, May 15. Carrie Smith and Steve Bauthier, resident directors at Waynesburg University, and Jonathan Owen, Waynesburg University Center for Research and Economic Development graduate assistant, will lead the trip.
The trip marks the University’s seventh trip to Biloxi since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.
Waynesburg University senior Dustin Yoder will be taking the trip for the third time. According to Yoder, he wishes to reunite with the families he helped last year.
“I feel that serving others is something that God calls us as Christians to do on a daily basis,” Yoder said. “Hurricane Katrina was devastating to the Gulf Coast and while some people may have forgotten about it, there is still a huge need in the rebuilding effort. Going to Biloxi gives me the chance to show people the love of God, which is something that they are so thankful for and will never forget.”
Junior Adam Swingle felt a similar pull to repeat the trip. Swingle will take the trip for the second time.
“The importance of service with Hurricane Katrina Relief is to one, rebuild what was broken physically and spiritually during the Hurricane, and two, to gain a sense of fellowship and depth to relationships with those on the trip and those in Biloxi,” Swingle said. “I feel that service is the best way that I express the gospel to others and believe that my service points towards Christ.”
Students participating in this trip include:
• Olivia Bakke, a freshman undeclared major from Monaca (Beaver County Christian School)
• Kayla Browell, a junior forensic science major from Sycamore (West Greene High School)
• Rebecca Friedline, a junior psychology major from Blairsville (Greater Latrobe)
• Nicole Henry, a junior criminal justice administration major from Waynesburg (Marlington High School)
• Na Hyun Kim, a freshman undeclared major (Chun-Cheon Girl’s High School)
• Evan Kephart, a freshman biblical and ministry studies (religion and philosophy) major from McDonald (Home School)
• Jungmin Lim, a freshman English major from Korea (Kyunggi Girls High School)
• Ellen Louttit, a junior history/secondary education major from Charleroi (Charleroi Area High School)
• Megan Knowlson, a freshman accounting major from Washington (Trinity High School)
• Esteban Saldi, a sophomore human services major (Highlands International School)
• Adam Swingle, a junior history/secondary education major from Montclair, Va. (Forest Park High School)
• Halie Theriault, a junior English/secondary education major from Pittsburgh (Wilson Christian Academy)
• Andrea Tomer, a junior social science major from Barnesville, Ohio (Faith Community Christian High School)
• Dustin Yoder, a senior business information science major from Belleville (Belleville Mennonite School)
Founded in 1849 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg University is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with three adult centers located in the Pittsburgh region. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and is one of only 27 Bonner Scholar schools in the country, offering local, regional and international opportunities to touch the lives of others through service.
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Released May 4, 2010
Contact: Pam Cunningham, Assistant Director of University Relations
724.852.3384 or pcunning@waynesburg.edu