Hurricane Dorian hit the northern Bahama Islands with wind speeds approaching 200 miles per hour resulting in numerous deaths and creating a wide path of almost total destruction.
Hampton University in Virginia has responded by offering students of the University of the Bahamas-North to continue their education on Hampton University’s campus. Students from the University of the Bahamas-North will be able to attend classes at Hampton for the fall 2019 semester, receive room and board for one semester, and will have the option to stay at Hampton once the semester is over at regular rates for tuition and fees.
Rodney Smith, the president of the University of the Bahamas, is the former administrative vice president and chief planning officer at Hampton University. So Hampton University President William R. Harvey reached out to his former colleague to offer assistance.
“I think this agreement is something that can be helpful to a great number of students and families, and is part of something I’ve tried to do my entire career – helping people to achieve and meet their goals,” said Dr. Harvey.
Lawrence Rigby, a citizen of the Bahamas who was student government president at Hampton University during the 2014-15 academic year, stated that “Hampton has been the educational choice for many Bahamians over its long history. I am grateful to President Harvey and university leadership on this demonstration of kindness and humanity to my home in our time of need.”
