The confluence of luck and common sense: Recovery of Lamar University from Hurricane Rita

Hurricane Rita made landfall in the area of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana in the late evening of September 24, 2005. This event closed Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas until October 19, 2005 while leaders of the University, the Texas State University System, and the State of Texas made heroic efforts to salvage the Fall 2005 semester and return the University to full physical and fiscal health. Due to both planning and luck the operations of the Chemistry Department were minimally effected by the hurricane. The effects on, responses of, and lessons learned by the University and Chemistry Department are discussed.