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Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

MU reflects on the tsunami disaster
By Cat Vaughn, Corner Post staff (posted 1/31/05)

A tsunami memorial service was hosted by Chancellor Brady Deaton January 25, 2005, on the Francis Quadrangle at the University of Missouri - Columbia. The service was held to reflect and honor those victims lost in the tsunami overseas.

The service was sponsored by the International Center in conjunction with the Chancellor’s office.

An estimated 220,000 people have died from the tsunami. The nations of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and Malaysia were devastated from this unexpected natural disaster.

Exchange students representing each affected country were invited to speak at the service.

Professors and students, in addition to the speakers, still grieve over the destruction of the nations. The International Center held an understanding support group January 24. The center provided counselors for the mourners to talk to.

“Counseling services have been offered free of any charges,” said Mary Jo Banken, the director of News Services for the campus.

The International Center also has walk-in hours throughout the week to accommodate new exchange students or students who need to talk about the disaster.

“We recognize that the recovery effort is long term, not short term; and I encourage faculty, staff and students to explore long term opportunities to contribute to recovery efforts through program, research andservice efforts,” said Chancellor Deaton. The

University of Missouri-Columbia also has two sister schools in Thailand. Prince of Songkla University and King Mongkut’s University of Technology reported no damage, yet the emotional battle still wages on around the country. Chancellor Deaton confirmed that he had contacted the presidents of the sister universities overseas.

MU is sending help to those in the disaster zone. Dr. Syed Arshad Husain is the chief of child and adolescent psychiatry. He is founder and director of MU International Center for Psychosocial Trauma. Dr. Husain will visit Asia in the near future to work with the children affected by the tsunami.

“Let us never forget that the world is a very small place when it comes to concern for our fellow human beings,” said Chancellor Deaton. Each memorial service and counseling session brings the university together to console the affected members of the MU family.

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