UTSA to host moment of reflection to mourn those lost in Hill Country floods

The University of Texas at San Antonio will be hosting an on-campus moment of reflection on Friday at noon to honor the many lives lost and those still missing in the Hill Country flooding disaster. 

Among those who died in the July 4 floods were Katheryn Eads, UTSA senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology, Reese Manchaca, an architecture student in the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, and Ella Cahill, a management student in the Alvarez College of Business.

“While there are no words to make this terrible situation better, I urge us all to lean in with compassion to support each other and those whose lives are forever impacted by this tragic event,” UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said in a statement. “Our community needs us, and I know that together, we can help each other find a way through.”

This will be the second moment of reflection held by UTSA to honor those lost to the disaster and offer resources for students, faculty and staff who are dealing with grief. The first was conducted virtually on Wednesday for those who couldn’t attend in person. 

“It’s important for us to have multiple opportunities for people to reflect and to come together in different ways,” said LaTonya “LT” Robinson, senior vice provost for student affairs and dean of students at UTSA. 

The informal event will include a moment of silence as well as words from university and community leaders, Robinson said. 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the resources available to the UTSA community. 

These resources will not only be available in the immediate future, Robinson said, but in weeks to come so that students, faculty and staff can reach out when ready. 

“We recognize that um grief is not just an in-the-moment type of experience and that sometimes people need a little more time to connect with their grief.” Robinson said. “So we’re always here for them.”

Some of the ongoing resources at UTSA include: