HURRICANE MICHAEL RETROSPECTIVE
“The positivity continues to spread. And keeping that energy going, it’s what’s going to help us rebuild and recover and become stronger than ever.” — Tasneem Salman, electrical engineering, ’19
UNCONQUERED SPIRITS: THE JOURNEY OF DYLAN AND BETHANY DUNAWAY by:
door to offer aid to those in the hardesthit areas of the region. The admissions staff cleared debris from Lynn Haven Elementary School, and administrators partnered with staff to distribute hot meals to first responders and those in need. Gulf Coast State College opened the following week and used classrooms at FSU Panama City for their Health Sciences programs throughout the fall semester while their campus continued recovery efforts. Restoration continues at FSU Panama City, and the campus hasn’t fully recovered from Hurricane Michael, but it is about 95% complete. “I’m proud of how much we accomplished as a team in the wake of a natural disaster,” Hanna said. “We are one year out from the storm, and while we still have work to do, at FSU Panama City we continue to be committed to doing our part to help our community move forward.”
Angela Donahue, ’19
Dylan and Bethany Dunaway have encouraged one another to pursue their goals since they met in high school. After Hurricane Michael battered Bay County Oct. 10, the young couple’s goals turned from ensuring the safety of their families and homes to being able to graduate together on time. After the storm, the couple, who were both on the dean’s list and taking the final course requirements to earn their bachelor’s degrees in professional communication, wanted to make sure all their hard work wasn’t delayed by the destruction. Desperate for answers, they reached out in an email to Dean Randy Hanna. “He called us at 9 that night,” Bethany said. Hanna assured the couple that the faculty and staff were committed to doing whatever it took to make sure they both graduated on time. It would not be easy making up all of the course work in just a few short weeks, but they knew that together they could overcome anything. “Through all of this, we held each other accountable,” Bethany said. “Our standard as Dunaways is all A’s and we weren’t going to let that drop.” On Dec. 15, 2018, they walked across the stage in Tallahassee earning their degrees in professional communication. “I am officially a ‘Nole alumni like my father before me, and I am so proud,” Bethany said.
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