Student and alumnus help in Greensburg
As the national spotlight focused on the tragedy in Greensburg, a KU student and a graduate earned the attention of major networks and the President.
Student chases twister
Student and storm chaser Darin Brunin caught the catastrophe on camera as he and his partner drove through the May 4 night. His video showed the F5 tornado from afar and the immediate aftermath up close. News stations nationwide aired the footage, which can be viewed online.
Alumnus gives early warning
Meteorologist and KU alumnus Mike Umscheid, c'02, also caught the eye of the nation and the President. Hailed as a hero for issuing a 26-minute warning and an emergency immediately before the tornado hit, Umscheid met with President Bush and General D.L. Johnson, director of the National Weather Service, May 9 in Greensburg. Umscheid was working for the National Weather Service in Dodge City the night of the storm, a position he has held for the past five years.
Campus raises funds
The Greensburg tragedy affected more than 1,500 citizens. Campus efforts to help the citizens include the KU Alumni Association's Green for Greensburg campaign, which raised more than $29,000 for the American Red Cross. The Association's student volunteer corps, the Student Alumni Association, collected donations from students May 7-18, and Association chapters throughout the state contributed to the cause, as did volunteer leaders nationwide. Additional supporters included KU Athletics, which made a matching donation of $5,000, and KLZR 105.9 radio, which donated aired time to the campaign.
KU sends equipment
KU also donated the use of its heavy rescue support unit equipment. Rick Deibert, project manager of the Kansas Fire and Rescue Training, took a truck with a trailer and technical rescue equipment to help with cleanup and recovery. And Provost Richard Lariviere offered his home for Greensburg senior Stephanie White and her parents to stay during Commencement.
Dine to Donate
In addition, KU Dining Services raised $2,500 in its "Dine To Donate" campaign for the Olathe-based charity Heart to Heart International's relief efforts in Greensburg. The KU Dining Services donated 15 percent of its Brellas Sandwich Crafters and Summit Subs total retail sales collected on campus from May 14 to 18 to Heart to Heart, which has sent medical teams and their "Mobile Medical Unit" to provide acute care in Greensburg and surrounding areas. A portion of the proceeds from the department's catered All University Supper on May 18 also were donated.
School offers scholarships
KU's School of Engineering also has helped the Greensburg cause by offering a full scholarship to any student from the high school for the summer engineering camps at KU.
