A crisis can defeat us or make us stronger, reveal our weaknesses or highlight our strengths, pull a family together or tear it apart. I assure you that the fire on the night of April 24 has made the Longwood family stronger.

When the Rotunda, East and West Ruffner and most of Grainger Hall were destroyed, Longwood lost much in the way of history, tradition, facilities and personal property. However, more than 300 students were evacuated from Colonnades residence halls, and not one student was injured. Our losses are bricks and mortar. Longwood has suffered no loss of spirit.

A reporter asked me how, other than exhaustion, this loss affected me as college president. My answer was, and is, that I am the proudest president in America. And very grateful. Grateful to the 175 firefighters from 13 local departments who battled the flames all night and into the next day, some of whom were Longwood and Hampden-Sydney College students. Grateful to Farmville officials and the townspeople who offered to take evacuated students into their homes. To all the students who took in so many of their friends that other offers were unnecessary. To students who baked cookies for firefighters and to all the colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth who offered assistance. To alumni and friends of the college who asked for a Rotunda Fund and have since contributed more than $175,000 to rebuilding.

After the fire, Milestone reunions were held as scheduled, and Commencement 2001 was a poignant yet joyful celebration. Longwood's future is bright. We are in the process of designing and rebuilding Grainger and the Rotunda and East and West Ruffner in their original style and grandeur. French and South Ruffner residence halls, which suffered minimal damage, will be completely ready for occupancy this fall. Renovation of Main Tabb will include the installation of a new roof and will continue through the fall semester.

This issue of Longwood magazine shows the devastation of the fire, but it highlights the personal and even heroic responses of students, faculty, staff, surrounding towns and counties, alumni and friends. It is a tribute to a strong and caring community.