Representatives from a spectrum of campus organizations met Wednesday for the Tigers for Haiti collaboration.
Students from Campus Kitchens, Student Government, Health Initiatives Abroad, Alpha Phi Omega and Volunteer LSU were among those in attendance. Tigers for Haiti originally started as an organization spearheaded by Amy Potter, geography graduate student, and the rest of the Geography and Anthropology departments. “I care personally about this place,” Potter said. “That’s why I’m here.” Mallory Trochesset, associate director for Campus Life, said the department wanted to pull together all the campus efforts for Haiti and combine them under one umbrella. “Instead of having different organizations competing, we would all be working together,” Trochesset said. “The original ‘Tigers for Haiti’ allowed us to use their name.” Potter said combining the University’s efforts is the right thing to do. “We’ll be able to join forces, regroup and contribute to a larger project,” Potter said. Mimie Laurant, general studies senior, will lead the organization. Laurant said she has spent most of her life living abroad, and the opportunity to represent the University in contributing to global relief efforts means a lot to her. The organization’s mission is three-fold: action, education and philanthropy. “The University is 100 percent behind this group,” said Mary Wallace, associate dean of students and director of Campus Life. “This is very exciting and something I think is needed here on campus.” The group elected to become a formal organization and is currently having a logo approved. Trochesset said the goal is future campus fundraisers for Haiti will use the “Tigers for Haiti” logo, and proceeds will be added to a collective bank account.—-Contact Sarah Eddington at [email protected]