“Yesterday afternoon I learned that the conference report on Hurricane Helene Relief did not include funding for Warren Wilson College. We appreciate that our neighbors, Montreat College and Lees-McRae College, who also lost water and sewer access because of the hurricane, did receive funding.

We know that the legislative process will continue with the House and Senate scheduled to return in mid to late July. Having suffered $12M in losses, Warren Wilson College is both deserving and in significant need of Hurricane Helene Relief aid. Warren Wilson is a federally-recognized work college; about 40% of our students are North Carolinians; 42% of our students are Pell eligible; the College contributes about $50M a year to our area’s economy; and, our students, faculty and staff have been essential in the storm recovery efforts in our region.

We look forward to having an opportunity to work with legislators to help them understand the extent and gravity of the damages to the College. We request that they reconsider providing support to Warren Wilson when the legislative session reconvenes.”