In response to the December 2004 tsunami tragedy in southern Asia, the Winona State University community reached out to help support the hundreds of thousands of victims.

In January, WSU hosted a public forum discussing the impact of the tsunami. WSU faculty members demonstrated what caused the deadly earthquake and subsequent tsunami, and WSU international students, who had family in the affected countries, shared their family's emotional stories about the experience of living through the tsunami disaster.

WSU also teamed up with the city of Winona to help raise money for the victims. Winona State raised more than $4,500 for UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders. WSU students, faculty and staff also made private gifts through other off-campus organizations.

The university community also held a school supply relief collection. Hundreds of items were collected, including notebooks, pencils and art supplies.

Approximately one-third of WSU's international students are natives of the countries hit by the tsunami.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 15:14 by Rhone Richard