July 15, 2025
Dear Sewanee Family,
Since July 4, we have watched with heavy hearts and a sense of helpless disbelief as devastating news continues to emerge from the Hill Country of south-central Texas. Catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River has brought destruction and loss of life on an unimaginable scale. This tragedy has touched not only residents of the region but also families across the country for whom the river has long been a cherished place of summer gathering, recreation, and camp life. More than 250 individuals have died or remain missing.
Sewanee students and alumni have deep ties to this region, having attended the nearly 20 summer camps in the area as campers and counselors.
Among those lost are beloved members of our Sewanee family. With the permission of their families, I share the following:
Alyson Crouch Hardin, C’82, and her daughter Josephine Hardin, C’19, perished in the flood. They are survived by Alyson’s husband and Josephine’s father, Bill, who was rescued by helicopter after clinging to a tree for hours. Alyson’s sister, Kimberly Crouch, C’85, is also a Sewanee alumna.
Ellen Getten, age 9, daughter of Doug Getten, C’01, and Jennifer Getten, was among the 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic who lost their lives. Ellen was also the niece of Liz Getten Atwood, C’99, and Chad Atwood, C’99.
Clay Parisher, the 20-month-old grandchild of Clint Parsley and his wife Alex Albright, C’77, was also lost in the flood.
If you wish to reach out to any of these families, please contact Interim University Chaplain Nancee Martin.
Please continue to keep in your prayers all who grieve and all who have been affected by this overwhelming tragedy and the ongoing storms across the region.
With deepest sympathy,
Rob Pearigen
Vice-Chancellor and President
