Emporia State University President Allison Garrett updated Lyon County Commissioners on the happenings at ESU during the commission’s weekly action session Thursday morning.
Along with boasting the university’s highest retention rate in history this year, ESU also saw a seven percent increase in new freshmen and a 36 percent increase in graduate students. President Garrett also shared some developments in terms of degrees offered at ESU.
Among the new programs offered is a Masters of Science in Elementary Education. President Garrett explains it is important to constantly look at new degree options as expectations from employers are always changing overtime.
Also during the report, Garrett took time to thank the commission for its ongoing support of ESU students through its allocation of scholarship funds each year. County Commissioner Scott Briggs says investing in the university is not only beneficial for students but the county as a whole.
Following President Garret’s report, commissioners approved the county’s annual appropriation of $250,000 for the university for 2020. President Garrett’s update follows an appearance at the Emporia City Commission, another notable donor to ESU, during its March 27th study session.
In other business, Lyon County Engineer Chip Woods presented four requests to the commission. The first sought the approval of a low bid for structural steel beams from Oden Enterprises while the other three sought approval of bids from Welborn Sales, Inc. for steel materials.
Lyon County Controller Dan Williams also presented three quotes from England Paint Contracting Inc. for work on the Bowyer Community Building. HR Director Janice Huffman sought approval of the 2019 EAP, DOT and non-DOT drug and alcohol policies and Community Corrections Director Steve Willis sought funds to cover expenses for county staff to attend the American Probation and Parole Association conference in San Francisco, CA August 18th through the 22nd.
The Lyon County Commission will meet again next Thursday at 8 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
