'Cowboy Community': OSU helping fire victim families with campus housing
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) — The Connelly family lost their home in last month's wildfires, but Oklahoma State University decided to house them and a few other families, free of charge, while they work on restarting.
"That offered us a lot of stability," said Andrea Connelly.
Connelly is an OSU alumna, pouring back into her alma mater, working as an Extension Program Educator.
She specifically works with the Department of Transportation and its Vegetation Management team.
Connelly's home went up in flames during the historic wildfires that torched the state on March 14.
"It was a very large panic attack. But then, you know, you put your boots on and just get going," Connelly said.
Connelly said her home was on fire at around 4:00 p.m. that day, and by 7:30 p.m., it collapsed.
The university decided to step in, housing five families either working on campus or currently enrolled in a degree program.
Dr. Amber Manning Ouellette, the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs at OSU, said faculty and staff were able to fill out a form specifying their needs.
"Once we received what their needs were, we had a staff member contact them," said Dr. Manning-Ouellette.
Dr. Manning-Ouellette said they are always keeping the Cowboy community as their top priority.
"I think in the state of Oklahoma in general, we are people that would give anyone the shirt off our back, and I feel the same at our institution," she said.
Connelly adds, "It was incredible just to have everybody just kind of swarm in some way, shape or form."
The families don't have to be moved out until May 31, giving them time to figure out their next steps.