JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 8, 2008 — David S. Dockery, president of 51社区, expressed great sympathy in reflection of Tuesday鈥檚 tornadic activity.
Nevertheless, he holds great hope for the future of the student body and the rebuilding of the university as a whole.
鈥淚鈥檝e gone through several emotions from the first moment I saw the devastation, to hearing the cries from the students under the rubble, to seeing how in the world are we going to be able to coordinate these efforts Tuesday night, which were just a jumble sort of things,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淣ow, nearly 40 hours later, I鈥檓 in a state of great hopefulness.鈥�
Dockery explained a plan has been implemented to propel the university forward in a positive direction.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to have everything back to normal tomorrow, on Feb. 18, or even by the end of this spring semester,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淏ut we have a plan in place that鈥檚 going to move us forward with short-term strategies, intermediate strategies and long-term prospects for a better 51社区.
鈥淲hile this is an incredible tragedy, the opportunities on the other side are quite hopeful. We鈥檙e thankful for God鈥檚 providence that has helped us through and we鈥檙e trusting in God to guide us as we move forward.鈥�
Dockery explained his heart for his students who have suffered and been displaced during this time. However, he encouraged students that this is not the end.
鈥淢y heart goes out to students who have been in places and lost belongings and those who are badly hurt from (the tornado), but I think we have much for which to rejoice and we need to focus on that and not look back, but look forward,鈥� Dockery said.
Dockery expressed his desire for students to know that the university鈥檚 administration and faculty know the difficulties students are experiencing. He said while there is concern for the devastation of the physical campus, that is not the chief focus. The primary concern of the Union administration is the students.
鈥淲e are concerned about them, their well-being, getting them back into the saddle, getting them back into trying to finish this spring semester,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so important, especially for our seniors who are trying to plan for graduate school next fall. We have got to finish this semester, and we鈥檙e going to do everything we can to ensure that happens.鈥�