Flooded with support

The impact hit close to home for many MSU students – both those living on campus and those studying at regional or online locations. Most of MSU’s students come from our 22-county service region – the same region that took the brunt of the impact from flooding. The timing coincided with what would be the start of the new academic year, meaning many students lost dorm and other school supplies just before moving back to campus or beginning their semester.

Thanks to the generous support of alumni and friends, MSU was prepared to meet the influx of needs with a strong student emergency fund program. Through the Needs for Eagle Support in Trying Times (NEST) fund at the MSU Foundation, more than $20,000 was awarded to students directly impacted by the flooding. From scholarship support to helping with unexpected repair expenses to Walmart gift cards and housing supplies, MSU was able to meet various needs. While the devastation put many in a tough situation, student emergency funds were able to bridge the gap to keep their education on track.

“Our alumni and friends have been generously supporting our student emergency funds for many years now,” said Rick Hesterberg, vice president for university advancement and CEO of the MSU Foundation. “We had seen tremendous growth in those funds as a result of an outpouring of support during the COVID-19 pandemic and that support carried forward into this devastating situation that many of our students had to face.”

Also, the University held a supply drive, donating supplies to regional partners assisting with cleanup. MSU also committed to replacing diplomas for graduates who may have lost their diploma in the floods.

“This was a very trying time for our state, and many of our students,” continued Hesterberg. “We were just glad to provide a variety of support to students in need.”

Photo credit: Brandon Gayhart, MSU Student, Hazard