Letter to the Vanderbilt Community

Thursday's tornadoes brought a remarkable level of destruction and devastation to Nashville in an instant. Vanderbilt was fortunate - very fortunate - to be spared from widespread injuries or serious damage to our campus. Nonetheless, the storm did take its toll on many members of our community, and the recovery will continue for some time.

Our thoughts and prayers first go out to the injured Vanderbilt students and their families, as well as to our neighbors and members of the Nashville community whose lives were damaged or disrupted.

Without fail, our Vanderbilt community responds to a crisis with professionalism, compassion and energy, and last week was no exception. Every member of the University community played an important role in preventing damage and dealing with the aftermath, especially:

• The physicians, nurses and support staff at the Medical Center, who hoped for the best but prepared for the worst;
• Student Affairs and Residential Life, whose quick reaction no doubt prevented many more injuries;
• VUPD, which maintained order and public safety in a very chaotic situation,
• And, the stellar staff of Plant Operations, who quickly assessed the damage and began the cleanup effort even before the last raindrop fell.

Many more people and departments deserve credit for keeping the University functioning under the most dangerous circumstances. To each of you, I offer my personal appreciation for your selflessness and dedication. You have continued a proud tradition at Vanderbilt.

Sincerely,

Joe B. Wyatt

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Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately 5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute, a distinguished medical center and The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center. Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range of graduate and professional degrees.

For more news about Vanderbilt, visit the News and Public Affairs home page on the Internet at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/News.