2008 Union University Tornado

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)--Union University will break ground for a new student residence complex Feb. 22.

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)--Only two weeks after a tornado ripped through Union University, students and faculty brought a sense of optimism in returning to their classes Feb. 20. In addition to a revised schedule and, in some cases, relocated classrooms and offices, the many changes to the campus caused by the EF-4 tornado continue to weigh on hearts and minds at the Jackson, Tenn., campus. Two students remain hospitalized from their injuries.

NASHVILLE (BP)--The Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee voted Feb. 18 to give $100,000 to help Union University rebuild from the devastating tornado that wrecked the campus almost two weeks earlier.

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)--The Ryan Center for Biblical Studies at Union University lost approximately 10 percent of its holdings when the EF-4 tornado swept through the Jackson, Tenn., campus Feb. 5.       The center is located on the top floor of Jennings Hall, which had half its roof ripped off in the tornado. Most of the damage was caused by water, mildew or mold.

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)--I was in the Feb. 5 tornado that hit Union University. Around 5:30 p.m., I was studying at Books-a-Million, planning on riding out the storm there. After a few phone calls from concerned friends, I decided to return to campus. The weather began to change. It was stormy but felt like just an ordinary, frustrating tornado drill. I was stressing that I wasn't going to get much studying accomplished.       About two minutes before the tornado hit, my roommate, Suzanne Short, who is also an RA (resident adviser), ran into our room and said, "Get in the tub, now!" My roommates and I headed to the bathroom, along with three girls from upstairs, and we got into the tub. Our ears started popping due to the pressure change. The lights went off. Hail was pounding our building. I was almost in the tub when the tornado hit.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources elected a new vice president of the B&H Publishing Group and approved the disbursement of $350,000 in reserve funds to Union University, which sustained major property damage in a Feb. 5 tornado.

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)--Professional golfer Shaun Micheel says he will donate money to Union University as it recovers from the Feb. 5 tornado that caused about $40 million in damage to residence life complexes and academic buildings at the Jackson, Tenn., campus.

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)--Union University students displaced by the Feb. 5 tornado that ravaged the campus will return to class Feb. 20, officials at the Jackson, Tenn., campus announced Feb. 12.

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)--While most Union University students have returned to their homes until classes resume Feb. 20, faculty and staff have been working hard since Thursday to recover belongings from damaged dormitories on campus.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–The rash of tornadoes that wreaked havoc across a four-state area Feb. 5 laid waste to thousands of buildings and took dozens of lives, but in the midst of the devastation Southern Baptists stepped up to help. In hard-hit Tennessee, the storms took 33 lives in seven counties -– about a third of […]