Construction technology student helps rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina

After spending a week cleaning and sanitizing homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina in Ocean Springs, Miss. last October, Purdue University Calumet student Matt Gorman just felt compelled to go back for more.

Gorman, 23, returned in January for three and a half months to volunteer as a project manager, rebuilding homes through the organization, Christians Organized for Relief Efforts (CORE).

Now, the Dyer resident is back home to receive his bachelor's degree in construction technology at Purdue Calumet's Commencement Exercises at the Radisson Theatre in Merrillville, May 21.

Gorman completed his last two classes by doing projects and taking exams via email. When he returned to campus recently, he gave his senior presentation based on his experience in Ocean Springs.

While in Mississippi, he managed about a dozen home rehab projects and scheduled volunteers. "

I made sure they got to jobs on time, knew what they were doing and that the materials were there on the site," he said.

According to Gorman, his hurricane site work involved removing from homes everything from furniture and appliances to trim and doors ruined by the flood.

"You can't imagine that much water coming through their homes. It was unreal," Gorman said. "Everyone had their own story to tell, and they looked for someone to listen."

During the rebuilding work, Gorman got to know the residents.

"I became friends with people I helped," he said. "It's cool to see how things are slowly getting back in order, and I'm glad to have been a part of that."

While volunteering, Gorman stayed in a camper, then a home that he helped refurbish. At first his plans were to stay in a tent. Also, he was provided with three meals a day from a church.

"It was exciting," he said. "I learned so much related to my major with project management. It was great to give that amount of time and to help people get their lives back together and back into their houses."

Says Tony Gregory, Purdue Calumet professor of civil engineering technology, "Matt gained experience in dealing with and managing people and projects that will certainly assist him as he progresses in his career as a project manager. But he also learned some invaluable life lessons that will assist him in all aspects of his life. Matt's efforts were selfless. Speaking for the entire Department of Construction Management and Engineering Technologies faculty, we are very proud of him for those efforts."

At Purdue Calumet, Gorman served as president of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and was a Student Ambassador and a member of the Purdue University Calumet Construction Organization (PUCCO).

After graduation, Gorman says he would like to complement a career locally in construction with volunteer work to help people when a disaster strikes.