The Tripod

As someone who studies literature and pop culture in hopes of someday making a living off of it (and plays a god-awful lot of video games in the meantime), I spend most of my time in worlds outside of our own, whether that means Middle-earth, 19th-century London, or Hollywood. In the wake of last month's earthquake in Haiti, however, I think it is safe to say that all of us have broken out of whatever reverie we found ourselves in over the break. I know that my feet, at least, are now firmly planted in reality, and not just because I'm back at school.

It is remarkable, though, that despite Trinity's students only just having returned to school and readjusted to new and busy schedules - and finding themselves in the midst of mourning one of our own, Director of Career Services Lanna Hagge - College-wide relief efforts almost immediately sprang into action.

President James F. Jones, Jr. got in touch with students last Tuesday about what they could do to help. A number of students and campus organizations have already spearheaded efforts to aid victims of the natural disaster, particularly through this past weekend's Hope for Haiti fundraising activities and performances. More, I am sure, are still to come.

For all my petty grievances about Trinity, I couldn't be prouder of my fellow Bantams, as cheesy as that sounds. We may play hard on the weekends, but it turns out we can work hard, too, whether we're putting our efforts forth academically or civically. Trinity students' actions this week in support of the Haitian earthquake victims have shown more than ever just how engaged the College is - not only locally, but globally as well.

It warms my cynic's heart to think that the money raised at Trinity this weekend will be used to provide food for the hungry, medicine for the sick and injured, and shelter for the cold and homeless. Tragedies like this one really put into perspective how a small contribution from a large number of people can help so many.

I can only hope that in the event of another tragedy - who knows; 2012 will be here soon enough, and if that atrocious film has anything to say about it, we're in for a nasty year - the Trinity community will respond as swiftly and positively as they have to this one.

Ideally we won't see a disaster of this magnitude for a long time, if ever, but Mother Nature is a fickle, unpredictable mistress. Although we cannot control nature, we can do our best to aid those who have fallen victim to its whims, and with more aid efforts towards the Haitian crisis in motion, Trinity College is doing its best to lessen the sufferings of many.

E.A.A.

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