Texas Devastation

As we learn more about the devastation of the Texas floods, the horror and sadness are heartbreaking. The waters that swept away young and old, campers and workers will eventually recede, but the losses those hill country communities have suffered will long endure. We can admire the heroism of first responders, marvel at some of the miracles of survival, but the overwhelming feeling now is one of profound sorrow.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Texas while president of Wesleyan. I’ve met families from all over the state, and we have been fortunate to welcome students to Middletown from small towns and large cities alike. As I’ve heard back from alumni and student families in the state, I realize how deep the connections run to the area hit directly by the flood. As a friend wrote to me this morning from the Houston area, “We are beyond sad… We have paddled the rivers that flooded and where children and adults were killed—normally those waters are placid and beautiful. It is beyond (human) comprehension.”

Our hearts go out to those grieving. If you’d like to help those in need, here is an article about some of the agencies working in the flooded area.