News & Events

Monday, May 1, 2006
by: Lauren Parran

Dean DePierro and Father Hanbury presented a check to President Norman Francis of Xavier University on behalf of SHU.

Dean Joseph DePierro of the College of Education and Human Services and the Father Kevin Hanbury, Associate Dean for College Affairs, spent spring break in the greater New Orleans area visiting two educational institutions impacted by Hurricane Katrina and delivering financial assistance on behalf of the Seton Hall community.

At Xavier University, the deans learned that every building on the campus of the Catholic institution had sustained damage from water levels that reached up to six feet at their peak. Functioning as emissaries for Monsignor Robert Sheeran, Seton Hall’s President, DePierro and Hanbury presented Xavier University President Norman C. Francis with a check to help with building restoration. They also explored the possibility of collaborative efforts in the field of teacher preparation.

Before moving on to their next stop, the Greenbrier Elementary Schoolin East Raton Rouge, DePierro and Hanbury toured some of the most devastated sections of New Orleans that had been submerged in eight to twelve feet of water for weeks. “We were overwhelmed by the extent of the destruction. Everything that constitutes a community including homes, churches, schools, utilities, cars and trees was damaged," observed DePierro. "However, everyone we encountered seemed very determined to rebuild."

The Deans also visited with the family of an SHU undergraduate whose home was completely destroyed in the flood. The family of the elementary and special education major shared some of their experiences and expressed appreciation for the emotional and practical support provided by the University community.

At the Greenbrier Elementary School, Principal Michael Comeau convened a special assembly to welcome his guests. In the after math of the hurricane it was Comeau, a doctoral candidate in the CEHS Education Leadership, Management and Policy program, who provided Seton Hall with a first hand account of the extraordinary situation that exists at Greenbrier and many other schools that have had an influx of students displaced by the hurricane.

Greenbrier, which serves a low income community, sustained external damage from the storm including the destruction of an outdoor science lab. However, the greatest impact to the school has been from dramatically increased enrollment. As it struggles to accommodate children whose families lost everything in New Orleans, it has experienced overcrowding and a shortage of supplies.

At the assembly, DePierro and Hanbury presented Principal Comeau with two checks representing donations from the University and the proceeds of CEHS fund-raising activities which included a silent auction and a raffle. (A few months ago, CEHS also collected and shipped school supplies and sweat shirts for the children.) Comeau said that he planned to apply the gifts to reconstruction of the science lab and the establishment of a much-needed on-site health program.

In an effort to explain how Seton Hall is affiliated with the elementary school, DePierro told the children that education does not stop after high school. He pointed out that their principal was also a student because education is a life-long process and there are many opportunities for adults to continue to learn and improve their lives.

After the assembly, some children hugged the visitors. "One fifth grader recounted how her family waded through water as high as her neck to get to the relative safety of a highway over pass,” DePierro said. “It was a startling reminder of the frightening and difficult things these children have experienced. It also vividly under scored why it is important for us to continue to do all that we can to help bring stability and normalcy to their lives."

"It was an honor to represent Seton Hall on this unforgettable journey. I want everyone who contributed to hurricane relief drives to know that their generosity was deeply and sincerely appreciated,” added Father Hanbury, who originated and organized many of the CEHS fund raising activities. “We cannot stop now; there is still much to be done in the Gulf Coast. I urge everyone to continue to remember those displaced by Hurricane Katrina with both material support and prayer."

For more information please contact:
Lauren Parran
973-378-9863
parranla@shu.edu