Message from the President

Today we welcome students to the first day of classes for the fall semester. Our original academic calendar was revised following the historic flooding that devastated much of south Louisiana and threw the lives of many members of the Southeastern family - students, faculty and staff - into disarray. 

Across the flooded areas and beyond, this disaster has been marked by the exceptional efforts of people helping people. Leaders, first responders and volunteers worked tirelessly to rescue and safeguard people in danger. Neighbors helped neighbors, and strangers helped strangers who are strangers no longer. 

Southeastern students have also proven to be Lion Strong, volunteering well over 1,000 hours of service to help with recovery efforts throughout our region. Likewise, many faculty and staff helped friends and neighbors with recovery efforts and have donated money and supplies for disaster relief assistance. 

In similar fashion, many faculty and staff worked tirelessly over the last week to reach out to students from impacted areas, providing information and encouragement to help ensure that students affected by the floods could continue their education. 

I am extremely proud of our community and our Southeastern family for these efforts.  I am also proud of the resilience demonstrated by so many who have been affected by the disaster.  As I encounter students as well as members of our faculty and staff whose homes were flooded and whose lives have been upended, much more often than not they are already rebuilding, recovering and determined to resume their lives. 

As the recovery continues, we realize that some of those impacted are not yet able to join us on campus. I know our faculty and staff will continue to work with students on a case-by-case basis so they will eventually be able to return and achieve their educational goals. 

I appreciate the collective efforts of our Southeastern family as we continue to recover together. 

John L. Crain
President