University of Bridgeport Leads Drive to Help Victims of Indian Earthquake


   Two UB administrators have taken a leading role in organizing donations in Fairfield County for the victims of the recent earthquake in the state of Gujarat, India. UB has just over 207 students from India, making them the largest international group on campus.

   UB employees Judie Clough, Director of Career Services, and Derrick Alex, a counselor in Admissions, have volunteered to collect the donations. The government of India has requested donations be in the form of money since it is too expensive to send supplies and the supplies would have difficulty reaching the victims since transportation routes have been severely disrupted.

   The UB drive will be working closely with the National Federation of Indian Associations (NFIA) in Washington, DC. They are a national umbrella organization for various Indian groups. All donations will be hand carried to India by the President of NFIA and will then be turned over to a local non-profit group in Gujarat that is directly involved in assisting the victims. Clough stressed that, “100% of the monies raised will go directly to the victims.”

   So far, UB administrators have not learned of any UB students who have relatives injured in the earthquake.

   Donations in the form of a check can be made out to: NFIA Earthquake Relief Fund. It has been requested that donations, which are tax-deductible, be received by February 17. The mailing address is:



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