Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, one of the hardest hit areas that Hurricane Helene devastated in Western North Carolina a year ago.
The private college sustained extensive damage in the aftermath of the storm, but relied on its students and staff to be self-reliant.
Damián Fernández, President of Warren Wilson, told BPR’s Jose Sandoval that the college’s hands-on approach to teaching likely influenced about two dozen students’ decision to stay behind and help after the storm.
“[They were] working in the farm, in the forest and with facilities. Some helped in the kitchen initially, but. We were basically deploying them as additional workforce on the recovery and mitigation front.
Sandoval spoke with Fernández earlier this month to see how the college is recovering and what he remembers from Sept. 27 of last year.
You can listen to their conversation – which has been edited for time and clarity – by clicking the LISTEN button below the headline.
