A letter I wrote to the Index was published today on the subject of “town vs. gown”:
Connections between town, University deserve support
Feb 7, 2008
Anyone who ever doubted how much Kirksville matters to the Truman community need only look to last week’s Arts and Sciences presentation on the future of enrollment at Truman. The study was a wake-up call in many ways, but for me it underscored the importance of working together to help make Kirksville a better place.
One big step we can take right now is to reject the “town versus gown” attitude I sometimes hear from both longtime residents and Truman students. This wrong thinking denies the fact that, right here and right now, we are ALL “townies”.
Faculty and staff may work at the University, but it’s a job like any other. Outside its walls we are living in the same neighborhoods, worshipping at the same churches, sending our children to the same schools and devoting our time to the same causes. Many have lived in the Kirksville area for generations and will remain for generations to come.
For students, the study made it clear that the quality and cost of your education are tied to perceptions of this city. But also remember: After you’ve graduated, most of you will have spent about a quarter of your life living, working and playing in Kirksville. I’ve always found it amusing to watch student attitudes toward our city evolve from freshman year to senior year. The number of former Truman and ATSU students who decide to stick around or return to carve out a home is formidable. I am one of them.
Personally, I think our geographical location is one of Kirksville’s biggest strengths. While the rest of the country is commuting to and from work and bouncing between urban and suburban lifestyles, we all live, work and relax together in the same place. This strong sense of community is our greatest asset. Let’s not undermine it by putting down the town and its people, for you’re only putting down yourself. Instead, let’s reach out by taking an interest in local issues, getting involved through local organizations and the Serve Center, and inviting others to activities here on campus.
Our destinies are intertwined.
Todd Kuhns
Webmaster and candidate for City Council
Here is an online version of the article – see page 4.
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