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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, September 5, 2005 - 
For Information: Christine Seitzinger
Assistant Director, Marketing Communications
Wilkes University at 570-408-4779
www.wilkes.edu

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN LUZERNE COUNTY

OFFER ASSISTANCE FOR AREA STUDENTS FORCED

HOME BY HURRICANE KATRINA

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The presidents of College Misericordia, King’s College, Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) Wilkes University and the chancellors of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton campuses have committed to providing maximum assistance - including temporarily guaranteed admission - to students forced home by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
 

“We recognize the tremendous burden placed on the students and family and we want to do everything we can to help,” said Dr. Tim Gilmour, Wilkes president, and Luzerne County Council of Presidents Chair, speaking on behalf of his colleagues.


It is unknown how many area students attend colleges or universities in the devastated parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. Many students have heeded the calls of government officials to evacuate the disaster areas and return to their hometowns.
 
In New Orleans alone, there are six independent colleges and universities including Tulane, Xavier, Loyola and Dillard.  Campuses within the Louisiana State University system have also been affected. It is unknown when those institutions will be able to resume normal class schedules.
 
“When the time comes for the students to return to their schools, we will work with their institutions to make the transition back as easy as possible,” Gilmour said.
 
Parents with children attending one of the colleges or universities affected by flooding who are interested in a
temporary transfer to College Misericordia, King’s College, LCCC, PSU Wilkes-Barre or Hazleton or Wilkes University, may call the following:
 
At College Misericordia: Father Michael Bryant, director of campus ministry, 570-674-6315
At King’s College: Teresa Peck, associate vice president of academic affairs, 570-208-5895
At LCCC: Tom Leary, vice president of student affairs, 570-740-0344
At Penn State Hazleton: Joan Williams, admissions officer, 570-450-3169
At Penn State W-B: John Barnes, admissions officer, 570-675-9229
At Wilkes University: Melanie Mickelson, director of admissions, 570-408-4400