Often the institutions of higher education and the town see themselves connected only through geography and economic dependency. Rarely, if ever, do the university and the community acknowledge, let alone embrace, the partnerships necessary to carry out the educational mission of the institution. In my opinion, Lyon County and the City of Emporia are unique! We are all working side-by-side building a University and Community in Motion . . .”
It is often said that “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts” We are fortunate to be the home of many outstanding institutions and organizations that contribute high quality partnerships with Emporia State.
Informal partnerships also enhance both Emporia State and the community and are one of our greatest assets. These connections provide learning opportunities for our students. Numerous businesses and not-for-profit organizations provide a significant number of internships for a variety of majors. These internships help students gain the professional experience necessary to achieve gainful employment, while employers gain valuable exposure to current and best practices.
Students at Emporia State, in each of the last two years, have contributed more than 24,000 hours of community service. The value of this activity comes not only in the services provided to the community, but also the pride the students have in giving of their time to their community.
Quality of life in Lyon County and Emporia is enhanced by the community’s participation and attendance at the many events the University offers each year. From athletic events to theatre productions, art exhibits and lectures, there is always something appealing to all interests. The support from the community in attending these events is not only an investment of their time, but also an opportunity for our students to hone and share their skills and talents.
Much of a student’s college experience includes learning opportunities to develop life skills. Community members in a teaching role, provide learning opportunities that add to the value of students’ college education. Students gain real-life experience by signing contracts with landlords, establishing basic services, buying groceries, joining church congregations, or even applying for jobs. The time and energy we take to help our students learn as well as the support and challenging our students to accept their responsibilities is greatly appreciated.
The strength of Emporia State University is two-fold: the dynamic faculty, staff, students and alumni and equally important, the partnerships with the community and the role these partnerships play in our student’s futures. In these challenging times we must remember our collaborations and better yet, we must find ways to celebrate our connections.
We look forward to continuing our high level of engagement with the community, partnering with a focus on the education and lifestyle of our students and of our community members. Lyon County, the City of Emporia and the University share a long and fruitful legacy. Now is the time to take pride in our community and our university and celebrate the collective vision of changing lives for the common good.
I’m Jim Williams and That’s Something to Think About……
