The thoughts of many University of Georgia students, administrators, alumni and supporters continued to focus Thursday on a student injured in the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that killed at least 14 people and left dozens more injured.
UGA student Elle Eisele was among those critically injured. UGA had not provided an update on Eisele’s condition as of Thursday afternoon, but, in a Wednesday statement, UGA President Jere W. Morehead said he had spoken to the 19-year-old’s family.
“As we continue to hold the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers, the university will do everything in its power to support those in our community who have been impacted by this unspeakable event,” Morehead said.
Eisele is a sophomore at the school, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry, according to UGA’s registrar’s office.
Eisele wrote in a February 2024 Facebook post that she had been gathering donations for a dance marathon where proceeds would go to a nonprofit that fundraises for children’s hospitals.
“I’ve been wanting to get involved at UGA and also make a difference in the community and, together, we can change kids’ lives and change the future,” Eisele wrote.
That nonprofit, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, has been the national philanthropic partner of the Phi Mu sorority for decades. Eisele follows the Phi Mu UGA chapter on Instagram. The national organization did not respond to a request for comment as of Thursday afternoon.
Following the attack, multiple people left messages on Eisele’s most recent social media posts, extending prayers and well wishes. That includes a TikTok post from New Year’s Eve, where Eisele danced with friend Steele Idelson.
“I hope you two are ok. Lots of prayers coming from Fort Myers,” reads one comment.
Both young women attended the Canterbury School in Fort Myers, Florida, which Eisele graduated from in 2023. The school confirmed in a statement Wednesday that both were injured in the attack.
“The Eisele and Idelson families are deeply grateful for the outpouring of thoughts, prayers and offers of support for our daughters following the tragic attack in New Orleans,” the statement reads. “We are especially thankful for the exceptional care and compassion they are receiving at University Medical Center. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the first responders, whose swift actions may have saved our daughters’ lives. To everyone who has reached out with love and support, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
A spokesperson for the school declined to comment Thursday, respecting the families’ privacy.
In a Wednesday afternoon news conference, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said some victims were in the hospital “fighting for their lives.”
“So I would ask everyone to pray for them,” Murrill said. “They need our support, and they need our prayers.”
Multiple funds and GoFundMe pages have been created to assist the victims and their families. Blood drives were scheduled for Thursday and today in New Orleans at the city’s blood center located at 2609 Canal St.
— Staff writer Sara Gregory contributed to this article.
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