The Westminster College Student Government Association voted at its Feb. 13 Senate meeting to donate $500 to Union University in Jackson, TN to go toward the building of a new Student Commons.

Union University suffered an estimated $40 million in damages and approximately 50 students were injured when a devastating series of tornadoes passed through the Tennessee Valley Feb. 5.  Campus dormitories received a direct hit from an EF4 tornado with winds between 166-200 mph, leaving 80 percent of the structures unlivable.  The dormitories that housed the three Union University Student Commons were completely destroyed.  Seventeen of the campus’s nineteen buildings were damaged.

A check will be sent to Stephen Lynch, President of the Student Government Association of Union University, made out to the Union University Disaster Relief Fund by Feb. 20.

The Student Senate resolution was sponsored by seniors Joe Bowmaster of Milo, MO and Justin Cave of Overland Park, KS. 

In the resolution, Westminster students stated “the students, staff, faculty and administrators of Union University are neighbors in a global community of educators and students.”

Westminster College prides itself on preparing students to lead in a global community.

Classes resumed at Union University Feb. 18.

Anyone wishing to help Union University can send contributions to Union University Disaster Relief Fund, 1050 Union University Drive, Jackson, TN 38305.

Union University is a four-year traditional university with an approximate enrollment of 3,300 students.