Ottawa University

OU Students Help with PR Efforts Following Greensburg Disaster

OTTAWA, Kansas - Two Ottawa University students and their professor arrived in Greensburg, Kansas, on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, to assist American Red Cross public affairs professionals with media and public relations surrounding the tornado that hit the small southwestern Kansas town on Friday, May 4.  Junior Nicole Lemons, editor of OU's The Campus newspaper, sophomore Allison Small, and The Campus Advisor Kara Cunningham were immediately put to work issuing press releases, answering emails and posting signs, along with other duties assigned by the Red Cross.  The group is the only college personnel assisting national Red Cross public affairs in this capacity. 

"I was hesitant to come because I've never been involved in something like this before," said Lemons.  "But having the chance to work with the Red Cross internally and do something positive in the face of this disaster is incredible," she said. 

The trio spent Wednesday morning at the Red Cross public affairs office operating out of the Methodist Church in Pratt.  After lunch they traveled to Havelin where shelters for the disaster victims are set up.  A service center was opened on Wednesday to assist the victims, and Lemons, Small and Cunningham posted signs directing people to the center.  From there, the group went to Greensburg itself, arriving just as President Bush's helicopter entourage was leaving.  Though entrants into the devastated town were still being screened, the ladies were allowed in because of their association with the Red Cross.  They passed out flyers about the service center in Havelin.

All three were at a loss for an adjective to describe the scene they encountered in Greensburg.  "You feel so little when you see how one thing can come and destroy a town so fast," said Small. 

"You look around and the tallest thing you see is maybe 8 feet high, and maybe a couple of trees.  If I lived in Greensburg, I would have no idea where to start to rebuild my life," said Lemons.  Having taught in nearby Pratt, Cunningham was very familiar with the area and even knew some of the residents.  "I was nervous about coming in," said Cunningham.  "I didn't know what to expect."

To their surprise, what each of them found were amazing amounts of hope, cooperation, patience and pride.  "I spoke with a high school maintenance worker in front of the school," said Cunningham.  "He had lost his home, but he was there, at the school, telling us how much he loved his job, what a great place Greensburg was to live, and how they were going to rebuild.  It was amazing," she said.  She learned that the town even plans on going ahead with graduation ceremonies, which will take place in the city park.

Small and Lemons met with similar optimism.  "When we came into town, people waved to us and welcomed us.  They came up to talk with us and tell their stories," said Lemons.  Though some told those stories with tears in their eyes, others were able to share theirs with a smile, even a joke or two.

"The people seem really grateful for everyone coming in to help," said Small.  "Everyone is pulling together."

More OU students are expected to arrive over the weekend to help with the PR efforts.

Cunningham originally planned on having students provide PR assistance during two courses being offered at Ottawa University this summer - Public Relations Writing and Advertising Strategies.  After contacting the Red Cross, however, she learned that officials couldn't wait until summer - they needed the students' help now.

After the national PR teams leave at the end of the month, OU students will continue the public relations efforts for the American Red Cross and the City of Greensburg as part of the two summer courses.  At that point, students will be working on public service announcements/advertisements for securing supplies, donations, and volunteers for the town, as well as on additional stories coming out of the disaster.  Though the students will travel to Greensburg for the courses, most of the work will be completed at the University.  Anyone interested in taking part in the classes, which will meet one night per week, can contact Kara Cunningham at 785-242-5200, ext. 5433, or through email at kara.cunningham@ottawa.edu.

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. Ottawa University's educational mission brings together a residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas, and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, Arizona; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jeffersonville, Indiana; as well as multiple international instructional sites.  For more information, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/.

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