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JMU Professors Host a Virginia Tech Workshop
September 11, 2007
By: Amanda Rivera
As college professors in so close proximity to Virginia Tech, JMU Graduate Psychology faculty, Dr. Anne Stewart and Dr. Lennis Echterling sent their hearts out to those affected by the April 16th tragedy that shook the nation. However, as specialists in disaster relief, the duo was prepared to offer their insights to the students and staff of Virginia Tech. As presenters at the “Pathways to Resilience: From Surviving to Thriving” workshop this summer, Dr.’s Stewart and Echterling shared their expertise as crisis counselors with the Hokie administration and faculty. “A fundamental goal of this workshop is for faculty members to recognize the ways that they value and promote the resilience of their students and colleagues. In these troubled times, faculty play a crucial role in fostering a psychologically secure learning environment in which students can explore, discover and learn, " say the two JMU professors.
The idea for the workshop stemmed from a string of “brown-bag” lunches hosted by the Center of Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching (CEUT) at Virginia Tech. While well-received, it became apparent that the university community needed a further outlet to discuss the event and Dr.’s Echterling and Stewart fit the profile. Leading the workshop, the pair faced several obstacles unique to the recent crisis. Dr. Echterling and Dr. Stewart state “… this community-wide disaster left many dead and wounded, however survivors did not require services addressing basic needs for food, clothing and shelter through disaster assistance centers.” The needs of the Virginia Tech community could not be purchased or constructed. The focus was put on the rebuilding of attitudes and installation of coping mechanisms. “As a result of this meaningless horror committed by a fellow human being, the emotional impact was different,” say Dr. Echterling and Dr. Stewart.
At the workshop, the JMU presenters introduced various activities to the participants which allowed them to divulge their own feelings, as well as reflect on the emotions of others. Dr. Echterling and Dr. Stewart say, “The skills that we bring to survivors are listening deeply, understanding empathically, and validating unconditionally.” Through this opportunity, Dr.’s Stewart and Echterling were able to give the Hokie community tools of personal resolve. “Instead of treating faculty and students as helpless victims, a resilience-based approach helps them reach out to others, make meaning, take heart, and re-author their lives,” they say.
Working with survivors from some of the biggest disasters to strike the globe, including 9-11 and the tsunami of 2004, both JMU professors remain optimistic in the outcome. Faced with seemingly impossible tasks, Dr. Echterling and Dr. Stewart say, “Our experiences in disaster psychology have taught us to presume resilience in survivors. Although they may be overwhelmed by the circumstances at the start, most people embark on a journey of surviving, recovering, and rebuilding their lives.”
