China Earthquake

Webster University President Neil J. George sent the following message to the University community:

-----Original Message-----
From: President [mailto:president@webster.edu]
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:24 PM
Subject: China Earthquake

Webster University Community,

I am sure most of you are aware there has been a major earthquake in China’s Sichuan Province. One of Webster’s four campuses in China is located in Sichuan’s provincial capital, Chengdu. Webster-Chengdu is located on the campus of our partner, the University of Electronics, Technology and Science of China. No Webster classes were in session when the earthquake hit.

We have been in communication with our Webster-China director, Dr. Richard Foristel via cell phone and text messages. Within the past two hours hour, Rick spoke to our Chengdu director by telephone. She did not have any damage to report about Chengdu. She is out in the streets, like millions of other people in Chengdu, riding out the possibility of aftershocks. Stores, gas stations and transit systems are completely shut down. There is no access to computers but cell phones are working on a limited basis. Even though Rick stressed the situation could change significantly when additional damage reports are received, thus far the damage in Chengdu seems much less significant than elsewhere.

Professor Al Cawns, chair of the math and computer science department in the School of Business & Technology, was teaching at Webster-
Chengdu during the spring term. Dr. Cawns emailed me to report that both he and his wife, Sheila, are fine. They are scheduled to begin their return to St. Louis tomorrow.

I will be in touch with you if we receive additional significant information about Webster’s campuses in China.

I’m sure all of you join me in sending heartfelt sympathy to all people of China where this earthquake has caused massive destruction.

Neil J. George