January 31, 2014
SPECIAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
February 2, 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the train collision that rocked the community of Helena and Carroll College.
The explosion that resulted from the collision of run-away train cars at the Benton Avenue crossing occurred at 4:48 a.m. on a frigid Thursday morning sending plumes of ominous black smoke into the sky while scattering train debris across campus. The force of the explosion caused massive damage to the Carroll campus and resulted in the pre-dawn evacuation of hundreds of students from the dormitories as temperatures dipped to 70-below zero with the wind chill.
Twenty-five years later we are able to reflect back on that day and recount the shared experiences, revisit the physical devastation, express our gratitude to the Helena community, and most importantly, be forever thankful that miraculously no one was seriously injured during this truly monumental event.
And those who were at Carroll and in Helena in 1989 have quite the stories to tell.
We have dedicated this issue of Carroll QuickNotes to sharing some of the memories and recollections provided to us by alumni, staff, faculty and community members who will forever remember February 2, 1989.
What a Wake-up Call
Over the past few months we have asked those of you who were at Carroll and/or living in Helena at the time to share some of your memories from that day….and share you did.
As you read through the recollections, you will notice recurring themes to the stories.
Seeing the flash, feeling the blast
Initial confusion and fear
Earthquake? Boiler explosion? Toxic gases?
Shattered windows in Guadelupe Hall
Frigid, frigid cold
Darkness caused by the power outage
Evacuation from campus
Dispersing to family, friends and faculty across town
Classes cancelled
Thankful and amazed no one injured
Grateful for the Helena community
Here are a few highlights from some of those stories. The entirety of these stories as well as many others can be read here and here.
Photo by Gene FischerPhoto by Gene Fischer
Mark E. Daspit – Class of 1993
I was a senior in high school in Spokane…Carroll was on my short-list of schools to attend. I visited that spring when campus life was far from normal, but what I saw was COMMUNITY and working through the adversity together. I already knew that Carroll had a strong academic program, but this campus visit tipped the scales. Read more.
Margaret Herriges – Class of 1990
It was so cold that my goldfish bowl froze solid. I was the work-study secretary for the coaches at the time … I went into the PE Center and stood where my desk had been and looked straight up into the hole where the train axel had come crashing through the roof. It's a miracle--truly--that none of us were killed. Among the damages in the biology lab were many frozen frogs and other critters who had been awaiting dissection. Not sure if they caught a lucky break or not. Read more.
Gigi McFadden Lundgren - Class of 1991
When I think about the night of the blast, I recall the same thing that always comes to mind when I think of my time at Carroll –the people. ...I was in my room on third main in Charlie’s when the blast happened. My 4.0 biology major roommate rolled over and said the noise was some snow falling off the roof and that we should go back to bed. … In the hall we were given some clearer direction from friends "Grab your cash and your checkbook and head to O’Connell to evacuate." However, the best advice had to be “make sure you put on some clean underwear “… we weren’t sure how soon we would be back.…
This event is one I look back on with a smile. It was a time where everyone pulled together and the theme was one of “we will get through this”. It was the people of Carroll that made the blast, for lack of a better word … a blast! Read more.
Father Joseph Harrington
…The campus had to be closed down for a time while the damage was assessed. Resident students and faculty had to be relocated in many cases and the city of Helena generously helped with that. I felt that Our Lady of Guadalupe was truly looking out for us all, because even with all the damage done and the many people affected, on campus and off, there was not a single injury reported anywhere. That February day will be something for which we now remember and can be thankful in prayer. Read more.
Cynde Watkins - Department of Nursing – Class of 1992
I think the funniest was the newspaper headline that said “Groundhog blown back in hole, Winter to last forever” Read more.
Media Mayhem
Here Ye, Here Ye, Read All About it
Carroll’s alumni publication at the time, the Carroll College Alumnus, printed a special edition issue about the train explosion.
Check out the edition here to read a variety of articles about the blast including heartfelt letters and interviews from Carroll President Dr. Frank Kerins, Helena’s Mayor Russ Ritter, and Father Dan Shea, Vice-President of Student Affairs.
It provides a fascinating look back at the days following the train explosion including many photos of the damage on campus as well as students being characteristically cheerful in the face of adversity.
Digging the Details
The February 28, 1989 issue of the Carroll student newspaper, The Prospector, provides several interesting eyewitness accounts of the events following the explosion.
Follow the day as it unfolded as told by students and staff that were on campus the morning of February 2, 1989. In addition, the pages are filled with more photos of Carroll students and buildings impacted by the explosion. Read the issue here.
5-Minutes of Fame
A train explosion in the pre-dawn hours that devastated a college campus and rocked an entire community became nothing short of national news. CNN came to town. Plus our local stations put in overtime to recap the incredible events that occured in Helena that day.
We have some of the coverage here – see if you recognize anyone from the on-camera interviews.
KTVH & CNN (at the 19:22 min. mark) Coverage
Reasons to Rejoice
Buildings were repaired, windows replaced and heat restored – but what will truly be the legacy of the February 2, 1989 train explosion in Helena is two-fold.
First, despite the incredibly wide-spread scope of destruction of the blast and the sheer numbers of students in the direct vicinity of the explosion – it is a true miracle that not a soul was seriously injured.
And secondly, the outpouring of support, caring and compassion the community of Helena displayed to its Carroll family was a true testament to the incomparable quality of people that call Helena home.Father Joseph Harrington
...I felt that Our Lady of Guadalupe was truly looking out for us all, because even with all the damage done and the many people affected, on campus and off, there was not a single injury reported anywhere. That February day will be something for which we now remember and can be thankful in prayer. Read more.
Beth Schoyen - Professor - Department of Business
It was a time when, in spite of the tragedy, we all felt blessed that no one was injured or killed and the entire Carroll and Helena community pulled together to make us all whole again. Read more.
Former Carroll President Dr. Frank Kerins
In his Report to the Board of Trustees:
We can be immensely proud of our students, faculty, and staff. They are truly magnificent. We have more genuine Christian community on campus than ever before. So be assured that the college will survive and thrive. Carroll is not buildings or things, but persons. Though buildings are damaged and things destroyed, through God's grace the persons have been saved. Read more.
Survived the Blast Reunion
All those who were at Carroll or in Helena at the time of the blast are encouraged to return for the "Survived the Blast" Reunion during the fall 2014 Homecoming celebration on October 3-5, 2014. Stay tuned for more details. Check out the current plans for Homecoming 2014.
Upcoming Events
Book Signing: “The Cause” by Carroll freshman Charlotte Meert, Feb. 1, 3 – 6 p.m., Hastings, 3215 N Montana Ave., Helena
Charlotte Meert, 19, a freshman at Carroll College, and published author, will be doing a book signing at Hastings. Her book, “The Cause” was released in October 2013.
A few reviews: “I loved the book! Started it and finished it yesterday – I couldn’t put it down. A brilliant plot, interesting characters, and great dialogue. Excellent writing!”
“Great read! The story moves fast and is intriguing on a level way past the maturity level of a mere 18 years. I can’t wait to read the next book.”
Salt Lake City Pre-Game Gathering, Saturday, Feb. 8, 3 – 5 p.m., Salt Lake City Pizza & Pasta,
1063 East 2100 South
Join Carroll alumni, parents and friends for a no-host, pre-game gathering then go cheer on both the men and women Saints basketball teams at Westminster. Women tip-off at 5:30 p.m. and men at 7:30 p.m.

Business Department Lecture Series: Innovation: Home Grown Products presented by Dr. Sri Vellanki, Feb. 10, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., 101/202 Simperman Hall/Wiegand Amphitheatre, Carroll College
The Carroll College Department of Business is hosting local entrepreneur Dr. Sri Vellanki as part of their Fiehrer Endowed Lectureship in Business. Dr. Sri Vellanki will speak about innovation and her experiences developing Elektra Nails, touchscreen-sensitive fingernails. This event is free and open to the public.
Joel Soiseth Art Exhibition, now through Feb. 28, Carroll Art Gallery, St. Charles Hall, Carroll College
Joel will be giving a public lecture on his current exhibit of paintings in the Carroll Art Gallery, Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Carroll Art Gallery, St. Charles Hall, Carroll College
This lecture is free and open to the public.
A new gallery exhibit "Edgy" started Jan. 13 featuring the paintings of Joel Soiseth. Soiseth has been an art professor at MSU-Northern for 26 years. He says some of his art has been directly influenced by historical works, especially Jan Van Eyck, the early “surrealist” Hieronymus Bosch, the later Surrealist movement and the “dark manner” of artists like Leonardo Da Vinci and Caravaggio.
The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and is closed weekends and college holidays. For more information, call 447-4302.
Astronomy & Physics Lecture Series: “Gravity's Greatest Mystery” Feb.13, 7 p.m. 101/202 Simperman Hall/Wiegand Amphitheatre, Carroll College
Join Dr. Kelly Cline for the first of his popular astronomy & physics lecture series presentations. How does gravity work? How does the force of gravity travel through empty space from the Sun to the Earth, or from the Earth to the Moon? Isaac Newton called gravity “spooky” because it travels through empty space. Albert Einstein said that gravity is a bending of space itself, and his equations work very well so far. But many scientists think that we need a deeper understanding of gravity. Perhaps the force of gravity may be carried by particles called gravitons. Around the world teams of researchers are on a race to discover gravity’s greatest mystery!
“Lysistrata” presented by the Carroll College Theatre Department, Feb. 13-16 and 20-23, Carroll Theatre in St. Charles Hall, Carroll College
Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays.
“Lysistrata” is based on a play written 2,400 years ago, and comically portrays a battle of the sexes. Aristophanes’ immortal work tells the story of the women of Athens and Sparta and their wild idea to end the Peloponnesian War by withholding “favors”.
Recommended for mature audiences only. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, free for Carroll students and employees. For more information, visit the Carroll Theatre Season webpage.
Going to the Greek Theatre: An Introduction to Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, Feb. 13, 6 – 7:00 p.m., Trinity Hall Lounge, Carroll College
Join Carroll College professors Don Jacques, Classical Studies, Brian Matz, Theology, and Ron Stottlemyer, Languages and Literature for a panel discussion moderated by Professor Bill Parsons, Political Science, regarding Lysistrata, a Greek comedy about the ravages of war, women, and wackiness. Come for the panel, stay for the play!
Forum on Public Policy & Leadership: The Effects of Leadership Excellence, Feb. 20, 4:00 – 8:30 p.m., 101/202 Simperman Hall/Wiegand Amphitheatre, Carroll College
Join Carroll College for their 2nd annual Forum on Public Policy and Leadership: The Effects of Leadership Excellence featuring presentations from Carroll faculty and administration members, including President Tom Evans as well as guest speakers, Roger Millar of Smart Growth America and Emily Schembra of the University of Montana Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy.
Bay Area Alumni Gatherings, Feb 22 and 23
Come enjoy great food, network with Carroll alumni and friends in the greater Bay area, and hear about the wonderful accomplishments 
of the past year and the exciting plans on the horizon.
Sacramento Area Gathering, Feb. 22, 2 – 5:00 p.m.
at the home of Mike & Tina Gilligan
San Francisco Area Gathering, Feb. 23,12:30 - 2:30 p.m., St. Francis Yacht Club, 700 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, Calif. $20 per person. RSVP by February 19.


Helena Area Alumni Lunch, Mar. 13, 12 – 1:00 p.m., Carroll College Campus Center, Lower level
. Come network with fellow alumni and hear an update on happenings at Carroll
. $10 per person. RSVP by March 10.
For more information on these and other alumni events and to RSVP, go to www.carroll.edu/alumni or contact Kathy Ramirez alumni@carroll.edu.
Mark your Calendars
Nursing Reunion: April 4–5, 2014
Return to campus this spring to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Carroll. All nursing alumni are invited to join us in April as we salute the founders of our program and explore the innovative education of today’s nursing students. Check out your Jan. 10 QuickNotes for more details.
Purple and Gold Jubilee Reunion: May 9-10, 2014
It is time to don your cap and gown once again. Make plans to join your classmates – classes of 1944, 1954 and 1964 – and be part of Carroll’s 2014 commencement weekend festivities in May.
Homecoming 2014: October 3-5, 2014
The Carroll Fighting Saints Football Team will be playing UM Western. Stay tuned for more details.
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