NYIT Staff Member Recalls Two Storms, Many Kindnesses

PHOTO: As the New York metro area recovered from Hurricane Sandy, NYIT students helped to unload and organize truckloads of supplies and donations to be sent out to shelters and other neighborhoods in need throughout November 2012.

Patricia Duran, director of student accounts, saw how the NYIT community came together to help others in the aftermath of two hurricanes: Katrina in 2005 and Sandy in 2012.

"I fondly recall NYIT welcoming students who suddenly found themselves displaced from Tulane University as a result of Hurricane Katrina," says Duran. "We quickly gathered a team of staff members and administrators to assist these students. We helped them with their housing and academic and student support services to ensure no further interruption to their studies and to make their transition as smooth as possible. I never would have thought that several years later, students, faculty, and staff members within our NYIT community would find themselves facing the devastation from another storm—Hurricane Sandy."

After Hurricane Sandy hit the New York tri-state area on Oct. 29, 2012, Duran joined colleagues in recovery efforts that extended well into November and beyond. They collected food and supplies as well as NYIT teddy "Bears" for children, arranged carpools, and found housing alternatives and support for students, employees, and their families in the area.

"Although these hurricanes were unfortunate events, it was remarkable to see the examples of kindness and generosity," says Duran. "It makes me proud to be a member of the NYIT family."

This content is part of The Box's "60 Years in 60 Days" series in celebration of NYIT's 60th anniversary in 2015.