Missouri State University
Aly Gatwood

Aly Gatwood

Missouri State senior loses family home in flood

A recent recipient of the scholarship is senior Aly Gatwood. Her family lost their home in the St. Louis floods on December 29, 2015.

On the morning of December 29, 2015, at 3 a.m., Aly Gatwood thought she heard a gunshot. Instead, it was the door blowing open, pushed by rushing water.

Gatwood, a senior political science major, moved to Jefferson City in January to begin a semester-long legislative internship. She moved with no bed and no clothes. Her co-workers helped her buy basics, but Gatwood found herself struggling with the loss. Her family lost their St. Louis home in a flood and moved in with relatives.

Help from Missouri State

Then Gatwood heard about the Emergency Scholarship Fund from Jill Wiggins at the Career Center. The scholarship is funded by the sales of the limited edition Be a Bear T-Shirt. R.E.A.L. Bears, a university-based organization, put the scholarship together. Gatwood received the award, and will use it to help with books and tuition.

“I might not have believed in the kindness of everyone but now I do, as cliché as that sounds. I’m blown away by the support of Missouri State Bears and sorority sisters,” she said. She belongs to Tri Sigma.

Gatwood said The Standard wrote a feature story about her. She says she’s received countless messages of goodwill from the Missouri State community.

“It’s incredible. It’s my home away from home. The support system – you don’t get that just anywhere. The support from students and faculty leave me speechless,” Gatwood said.