On behalf of myself, and the many people who have contacted ASU in recent days, I want to thank all of you for sharing your time, money, and expertise in the interest of helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. From the moment word of this tragedy reached our campus, the ASU community banded together, devised creative ways to help those in need, and demonstrated repeatedly its generosity and hospitality. From fundraising, to aiding displaced Louisiana students and showing your support at last weekend’s ASU/LSU football game, our entire university stepped up as a whole to help a region in need. Words fail to express the extreme pride and gratitude your kindness has fostered, but the notes we have received from throughout Arizona and around the country are certainly a beginning:
"I want to take this time to commend you and all of the ASU community of the show of support and concern with the tragedy that is happening on the Gulf Coast. I think it is wonderful that the ASU community is pulling together and doing what they can to assist the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and others that are helping people and communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama… Again, I want to thank you, the ASU community, and the people of Arizona for your continued support.”
“I know by your school's efforts to make Saturday’s football game a reality that your school is an institution of caring and action. Here in Louisiana, we don't even realize what has happened the past two weeks. In the big scheme of things, a football game isn't that important -- but the LSU football team, the school - yes, our entire state -- needed that. And the million dollars raised is outstanding. I am proud that we won, but I am more proud of both teams that played their hearts out and soothed the losses that I'm sure we have both felt. I just want to say THANKS and make sure you let everyone know how important it was. God Bless You. And go ASU!”
“We, at LSU, cannot thank the people of Arizona State University and the State of Arizona enough for their assistance and outpouring of support in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The reason I use the term 'people' is because it was very evident that Arizona State cared about the people of Louisiana and Gulf Coast and the students at LSU… I hope that the State of Arizona never experiences a disaster of this magnitude, but if it does, I can only hope that LSU and the people of our state will give so whole-heartedly as the people of Arizona have given. 'Thank you' seems terribly inadequate, but thank you and the ASU family.”
“I just want to offer my personal thanks to you and the Athletic Department staff, along with the countless others I am sure were involved, for the most kind consideration and hospitality given to host the football game this past Saturday. Ya'll showed a lot of class, and I am very impressed with the caring displayed by all. May God bless you and the entire Arizona State family.”
While these excerpts are only a sampling of the appreciative acknowledgements our community has received for its help, I hope they serve to both demonstrate the significant impact our collaborative efforts can make on the world around us, and to inspire us to tackle the future with a unified spirit, even in times without crisis.
Once again, thank you for your generous individual and collective contributions in this time of need. Your actions have brought additional honor to our Sun Devil family.
Michael M. Crow President
