St. Leo U Hosts Vigil, Offers Support For Bahamian Students

ST. LEO, FL ­— While Hurricane Dorian did not strike Saint Leo University, its impact on the Bahamas is strongly felt by the university community. Nearly 150 Bahamian students attend Saint Leo, with 64 members of the Class of 2023 hailing from the Bahamas.

The university also has many alumni from the Bahamas, and has maintained a relationship with the country for many years.

On Thursday, the Saint Leo community held a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Tapia College of Business building at University Campus. The vigil featured prayer, music and remarks from several speakers including President Jeffrey Senese; the Rev. Kyle Smith, university chaplain; Vice President of Student Affairs Jen Shaw; Student Government Union President Celine-Deon Palmer; and Caribbean Student Association President Ashley Butler. The vigil offered prayers and hope for those affected by Hurricane Dorian.

Saint Leo students have lost family members and their families have lost family-owned businesses, employment, homes, cars and everything they owned, noted Senese.

“We are focused on the individual well-being of our Bahamian students and their academic success,” said Senese. “Tuesday (Sept. 10), we will host a dinner of Bahamian comfort food with recipes provided by our students. I have reached out to my counterpart at the University of the Bahamas to offer our partnership. Saint Leo University is dedicated to helping our own communities and those in need.”

Photos provided by St. Leo University

In addition to the vigil, the university held a prayer service at the Saint Leo Abbey Church on Sunday, prior to the student Mass. Group and individual counseling has been offered and there are daily check-ins with Saint Leo’s Bahamian students.

A relief drive for supplies began Friday. The university is collecting items, which will be transported to the Bahamas. Items being collected include nonperishable food items and snacks; flashlights and batteries; diapers; baby wipes; water containers; toiletries such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, disposable razors, and lotion; work gloves; garbage bags; and power packs. Collection bins are located throughout the Saint Leo campus.

For more information, contact studentaffairs@saintleo.edu.