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Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Wyoming Valley in particular, are no strangers to natural disasters.

Periodically throughout our region’s history, our homes have been threatened and sadly overcome by raging floodwaters from the Susquehanna and Lackawanna rivers.

The incredible devastation wrought by seasonal hurricanes and massive wildfires reminded me recently of our community’s vulnerability to these natural phenomena and the need to be prepared for emergencies. Wildfires along the West Coast and hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria caused loss of life, property damage and the displacement of countless others.

Unfortunately, the Wyoming Valley is familiar with a hurricane named Agnes. In 1972, it left an indelible impression in its wake, as destruction was widespread and its impact on human life immeasurable. It remains the most destructive natural disaster to hit our region and one of the most costly in our nation’s history.

That flood in June, however, also brought out the best in so many people in the Wyoming Valley. Through the years, we have heard the stories about neighbors – and sometimes strangers – welcoming others into their homes for extended periods. Many homes on Lake Street in Dallas, leading to Misericordia University, provided temporary housing to those displaced from Wilkes-Barre, Kingston and other hard-hit areas. The pictures and film from those days amaze me, and illustrate to a relative newcomer like me how many people worked tirelessly to rebuild the Valley and make it a beautiful place to call home. With hard work, determination and time, debris and mud were cleared from our streets; destroyed bridges replaced or repaired; homes and businesses reclaimed, and many other significant barriers overcome.

Moreover, in 1972, the leaders at then-College Misericordia quickly turned Alumnae Hall, a student residence, into a makeshift hospital for several months. Nursing faculty and students, local Commonwealth Telephone employees, and others pitched in to make the hospital welcoming and ready to support all who needed help. Obstacles to finding health care were abundant, so large military helicopters landed on campus in an area that was hastily cleared of the “whispering pines” that are noted in Misericordia’s alma mater. The trees had to be quickly cleared as the emerging needs of our neighbors in distress became more evident. More than 50 children were born on campus that summer – and a number of them were named Agnes.

The Agnes disaster relief is one of the most vivid examples of how our university’s founders, the Sisters of Mercy, cleared a path and removed obstacles so others might benefit. To be clear, the sisters view environmental sustainability as one of their critical concerns, so even in the 1970s removing trees was a big deal.

The Sisters of Mercy and those closely associated with Misericordia let others know they were intent on making the world a better place through education and understanding when they founded this institution in 1924. During the establishment of Misericordia as Luzerne County’s first four-year institution, the sisters let no obstacles stand in their way. When they could not purchase land directly, they enlisted local businessmen to help. They raised funds in small amounts from hard-working families and others in the community. Not even the social and political tumult of World War I stopped them from opening the fledgling college. Today, Misericordia University is a proud part of the communities in Dallas and Northeastern Pennsylvania.

All of us have seen lights go off and roads become impassable in so many places lately, especially with the large number of recent natural disasters. It was reassuring to hear recently that our physical plant colleagues now have installed and tested generators in our Banks Student Life Center and the Anderson Sports and Health Center. Should a disaster occur, we are ready to open our doors to our neighbors and can host, shelter and feed more than 1,000 people as an emergency evacuation center. While the primary purpose of these internally funded emergency preparedness upgrades is for continuity of our operations, we are pleased to know that we are now better prepared should another natural disaster challenge our friends and neighbors.

Significant roadway construction and improvement projects surround our campus, and our iconic entrance arch is undergoing a complete restoration so, for the time being, there are some mild inconveniences to getting here. However, smartly placed detours and inventive two-way traffic patterns on campus create a path for you to access all of the wonderful community activities at Misericordia University. The lights are on and will remain so, as everyone is welcome to visit campus for a lecture, community event, theatrical productions, or to cheer for one of our many successful athletic teams.

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Thomas J. Botzman

Guest Columnist

Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., is president of Misericordia University in Dallas.