Despite a new location on short notice, students from Emporia State and Flint Hills Technical College still descended on Emporia Main Street’s annual Welcome Back Block Party on Monday.
Record-high temperatures approaching 110 and heat index readings above 110 prompted Main Street, with the blessing of the city, to move the event from the north end of Commercial Street to White Auditorium. Main Street Community Development Coordinator Jessica Buchholz tells KVOE News the event has always been a networking event to connect students with local businesses — regardless of the location.
Emporia State student Maliyah Douglas, an elementary education student out of Wichita, was drawn to ESU by its size and the related opportunities.
Fellow Emporia State student Zoey Kelly of Eureka, a nursing student, says she was excited to learn more about Emporia through the event.
ESU Foundation Director Shane Shivley says the event demonstrates the community support for Emporia State and its students.
Flint Hills Technical College President Caron Daugherty says it was good to have students back on campus.
The event followed the start of classes earlier Monday at Emporia State and last week at Flint Hills Technical College.
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Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
