That Tuesday started out just like any other day at Westernport Elementary School. The school year was in the home stretch, and teachers and students alike were buckling down to finish strong.

Mother Nature had other ideas.

With virtually no warning, the skies opened, and the rain became relentless in the western end of Allegany County, Md. And then the flood waters rose. Just like that, the brave young students and their teachers were being evacuated from their school by boat, watching as cars and dumpsters floated past them in the parking lot.

Fast forward to a few hours, and Frostburg State University would be called to action to help support their neighbors finish out their school year. But coming to the aid of the community in times of crisis is nothing new for FSU.

“FSU values our role in the community and has demonstrably engaged in efforts to assist whenever possible,” said FSU Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Jeff Graham D'15. “As soon as we learned about the devastating flash flooding of our nearby George’s Creek community, and were notified in the early evening of May 13 that some students at Mountain Ridge High school would not be able to be bussed home to the Westernport area, we mobilized our Quick Response Team from Student Affairs, University Police and our Facilities Department to acquire and deliver over 150 comfort kits to Mountain Ridge that evening.”

The comfort kits included blankets, sheets, pillows and hygiene items, making a difficult situation not as bad. “It’s always our privilege to engage in our community,” said Graham.

By the afternoon of the following day, stranded students had been reunited with their families, but many didn’t have safe spaces to which to return. Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency. But while residents and friends worked to clean up the town of Westernport, which received the worst of the flash flooding, public school administrators grappled with what to do with more than 200 elementary-age students unable to return to their school building.

Dr. Sarah O’Neal '04/M'05, the director of Frostburg’s Children’s Literature Centre (CLC), recalls getting a call from the Westernport Principal Derek Horne, with whom the CLC has a relationship with as this year’s adopted school, wondering if FSU might have space to house his students.

“It was an instant yes,” said O’Neal. And the timing was perfect. FSU’s semester ended leaving the campus with plenty of space for the Westernport group.

And so, Frostburg formulated a plan, in partnership with the public school system, to allow Westernport Elementary School to finish out their school year on the University’s campus.

“Bobcat Nation was happy to offer our support to the school,” said FSU Interim President Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD. “I’m so proud of our staff who stepped up to provide learning spaces in our Education and Health Sciences Center for these elementary students – and dare I say future Bobcats.”

The CLC was transformed into office space for school administrators and the CLC staff worked together to provide supplemental lessons and activities for the children. Westernport youngsters also had access to FSU’s fields and gymnasiums for P.E., recess and field day. Space was set aside in the Lane University Center for student meals. It was a true team effort. 

Breakfast, lunch and snacks were provided by FSU’s new food service vendor, Elior Collegiate Dining (formerly Aladdin Campus Dining), proving to be an invaluable community partner.

“At Elior, our mission is always people first, at any age,” said Elior Operations Support Manager Daniel Meyer. “We were honored to assist the surrounding communities in these difficult times, and our goal was simple – to create amazing food so they could continue to learn without interruption.”

University Police also made sure that buildings were secured while the children were on campus.

“So many departments across our campus should be commended for working together to make this a reality for these children,” said Interim President Smith.

Westernport students arrived for their first “official” day May 29. Most hadn’t seen their teachers in nearly three weeks, and FSU wanted to make sure that they knew they were part of Bobcat Nation for the short time they spent on campus. Upon arrival, children were greeted with hugs and high fives from Frostburg’s mascot, Bob E. Cat, and entered buildings adorned with balloons and welcome banners. Students were given t-shirts proclaiming “Future Bobcat” on them to wear on one of their last days on campus.

“With the support of so many community partners and especially Frostburg State’s CLC, we were so happy to be back together as a family,” recalled Principal Horne. “Our hearts were filled that day, and our Westernport family thanks everyone who helped make it happen.”

Frostburg’s efforts demonstrated the true spirit of service, and all that the University stands for. “We’re just so glad that something positive was able to come out of this tragedy,” said Dr. Smith.