Humani-Ram-Itarians
Unity College Sends Relief Team to Tornado Ravaged Tennessee

Unity, Maine – March, 2008 — Often when individuals think about college spring break activities, they think sun, sand and surf.  A group of civic minded faculty, staff and students at Unity College have a different vision.

     The group takes its name from the college mascot, a Ram, and throws in a bit of community spirit, hard work and good cheer.  Mix it up and you get the Humani-Ram-Itarians.

     In keeping with the core value of civic engagement that has led Unity College to repeatedly send its Humani-Ram-Itarians to hurricane devastated New Orleans, this year the College relief group will be assisting in recovery efforts for areas of tornado ravaged Tennessee.

     A relief team of 13 students, one faculty and a staff member will journey to middle Tennessee on Saturday, March 8, for two weeks of service.  They will also be filming a documentary that they hope to submit to the Maine International Film Festival.

     They will be working on two relief projects.

     “Our first project will be working with a sustainable farmer named Bonnie in Liberty, Tennessee,” said John Zavodny, Chair of the Department of Instruction and Advising Services and Associate Professor.  “Bonnie’s home was hit hard by the tornados that came through her county south of Nashville.  She has been working to close in her roof and so is behind on her planting.  We will spend time effectively getting her organic crop in the ground.”

     Zavodny noted that he received word from Bonnie saying that the volunteers from Unity College will be saving her entire growing season.

     After assisting at the organic farm, the group will travel to Centerville, Tennessee, to work with the Centerville Church of Christ.

     “There are reports of many, many homes that have been damaged by tornados in the immediate area,” said Zavodny.  “In the town of Brushy, there are at least four homes that were all but demolished."

     Initially, the Unity College volunteers will focus their relief efforts on helping the four families that have been displaced.

     “It’s clear that news of our trip has inspired hope in the people of Brushy and surrounding areas,” said Zavodny.  “We started by identifying work with one family, but news traveled fast.”

     The Humani-Ram-Itarians, founded by Anna McGalliard, Director of Student Health Services, is keeping its eye on the future by including a mix of both older and younger students.

     “The students who have already done relief work wanted to make sure to involve what they see as the next generation of Humani-Ram-Itarians,” noted McGalliard.  “The New Orleans trip was very powerful for all of us and our students wanted to share that kind of experience with the younger generation of Unity College student leaders, who will in turn continue this legacy of Unity College service.”

     Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources.  Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.