2008 Woodie Awards
College provides hope to the community
Kirkwood houses local businesses, helps employees after flood
Cindy Petersen
Issue date: 8/18/08 Section: News
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"We really are the community's college," Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich said. "It has become our mission to help the community."
Those affected greatly by the flood will remember not only the devastation that occurred to the community but they will also remember the helping hands that reached out to them in their time of need. Kirkwood allowed its employees to take time off work, with pay, to help with sandbagging and aid in the cleanup afterward.
Thirty Kirkwood employees were displaced by the floodwaters. Each family was given a $2,000 grant, as well as the opportunity to borrow money interest-free for five years. Also, the Kirkwood Foundation is offering scholarships to students who have been affected by the flood. Grants for up to $2,000 can be applied for by contacting the Financial Aid office in Kirkwood Hall.
"We're all in this together," said Starcevich. "Everyone has to pitch in."
Kirkwood is helping the community in other ways. The college opened its doors to 15 businesses that needed to relocate, as well as government offices. Most businesses have found other locations now that school is starting but traffic and judicial courts are among the county offices still located at the Kirkwood Continuing Education Building.
At the height of the flood evacuation, 1,200 cats, dogs and other animals found housing at Kirkwood's kennels. Anne Duffy, head of Animal Health Technology, counted on the help of volunteers when her department was inundated with homeless animals. All but a few have found new homes since then.
The flood has affected enrollment at Kirkwood but not as traumatic, Starcevich said as he thought a month ago.
"At the beginning of the summer we were down 400 students from last year, now it's only 200," he said. "It might have just been a slow start but it's getting better."
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