USC College students manned the campus donation table to collect funds for Gulf Coast students and their families affected by the hurricane.
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Disaster Relief
College Fund Helps Katrina Victims
By Alexis Bergen
Surrounded by three generations of family members, USC senior Brandy
Alexis grew up in the 7th Ward of downtown New Orleans. Her childhood
home that was once filled with happy memories now sits empty — without
windows, doors or
even the hardwood mantelpiece.
“It is quite a shock to see your neighborhood completely demolished,”
said Alexis, in response to a recent trip to her hometown. “The whole
area is very dark because street lights are limited, and the smell is
unimaginable. My eyes were constantly burning.”
Alexis — like many Gulf Coast transplants here at USC — was lucky to
find family members safe in spite of the regional destruction that cost
more than 1,000 people their lives. Still, the hurricane displaced the
clan to Connecticut and North Carolina, where relatives and friends
were kind enough to take them in.
“My family was really hit hard by this disaster,” she said. “It trickles down and affects every part of your life.”
In response to a university-wide call to action, USC College developed
the Katrina Relief Fund for USC students. The fund was set up to offer
scholarship aid, as well as other means of support, to help the
students and their families who now find themselves in unfathomable
situations, said USC College Dean Joseph Aoun.
“Our hearts go out to all of the people who have been so dramatically
affected by this natural disaster,” he said. “Their lives are hardly
recognizable.”
More than $13,000 dollars was donated by students, faculty and alumni
to help alleviate some of the financial burden experienced by USC’s
Gulf Coast residents. Ten students were identified from across the
university to receive approximately $1,300 each towards tuition for the
fall semester.
Alexis, who is working to finish a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree at the School of Theater, was one of the fortunate recipients.
“I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to visit my family during the
holidays because all of my extra money would go towards tuition,” said
Alexis. “It is amazing to me that these generous people found it in
their hearts to help me.”
“I am honored and grateful to everyone that has turned this very
confusing and hurtful time in my life to a very hopeful one,” she said.
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