Saturday, October 28, 2017
Stu Bobcat - St. Thomas University
MIAMI | Hurricanes Irma and Maria laid waste to much of the Caribbean, but it also provided 55 new students for St. Thomas University.
Last week, the school's faculty and staff officially welcomed the students from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The university kicked off its welcoming celebrations with traditional Caribbean foods like Mofongo (a Puerto Rican dish with plaintains) and arroz con gandules (rice, pigeon peas and pork). And a lot of hope for the future.
Shortly after the hurricanes, the university began offering free room and board through the spring 2018 semester for up to 100 college students in the affected islands who wished to continue their studies.
"After the devastation they’ve been through, continuing their studies is one way to get back into the routine, and to feel a sense of normalcy," said Irma Becerra, provost of St. Thomas University.
One new student, Rosamari Palerm Nadal of Puerto Rico, says the faculty and staff have "made my transition so easy."
"The professors are helping me catch up and understand the material they have already covered," said Rosamari, a senior majoring in biology. "Words can’t express how thankful I am."
Alongside the customary scholarships, STU is providing 50 percent Disaster Relief Scholarships to help alleviate financial burdens through spring 2018. The university will also work with the leadership of its sister institutions in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean to support them in any way possible.
Interested students should call the Registrar’s Office at 305-628-6612 or go to www.stu.edu/support to apply.