Lexington, KY - Graduation has come and gone. The majority of students and professors on campus are taking a break from school. But Eastern Kentucky University just doesn’t know when to stop. This, according to university and Richmond city leadership, is a good thing that they hope will help change the world.
EKU will host the 7th Annual University-City Relations Conference June 4 through 8. The conference, themed “Town & Gown: Partnerships for the Present and Future,” is a collaborative effort between EKU, the cities of Richmond and Berea, and the International Town & Gown Association headquartered in Clemson, SC.
“There are times when it is common to hear local folks make references to ‘those students,’” said Robert Blythe, a ten-year Richmond City Commissioner. “It is my hope that after the conference, there will be a greater appreciation of possibilities for students and communities to work together. It’s not only good for Richmond, but it’s good for students to explore their skills and enhance their learning through the community.”
The four-day conference offers over 50 different sessions covering topics ranging from developing campus master plans, to emergency management collaboration, and stimulating lifelong learning, economic development and tourism, among other issues.
Marc Whitt, Associate Vice President for EKU Public Relations, Conference Chair, and ITGA member, said “Eastern has hosted a lot bigger conferences in terms of numbers, but in terms of bringing civic and university leadership together from all parts of the country and all parts of the world, you just cannot put a value on the impact that has.”
Over 200 people have registered for the conference, so far. They include city officials, college presidents, architects, retail developers, law enforcement, student affairs, and community and public relations personnel from the United States, Canada, Italy and England.
Not only will conferees be able to interact on common issues that impact cities and colleges, they will also get a taste of Kentucky hospitality.
“We have evening entertainment that we feel like is a great way where people can kind of relax and let their hair down,” Whitt said.
The planned evening entertainment, includes Carl Hurley during the opening reception, a ‘Southern Barbecue” sponsored by the City of Berea and Madison County governments, and a concert featuring the Coasters, Drifters and Platters on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday evening, there will be an outdoor concert featuring the Madison Community Band called “Pops in the Ravine” which is free to the public.
Kim Griffo, the ITGA Executive Director, said she is excited the conference is coming to EKU’s campus.
“For the conference to come back twice to Kentucky says something about the support of the state and individual communities with college and universities,” Griffo said. “When you see a great college president and a great town mayor standing side by side who are into community involvement, it is always a good thing.”
In order to be considered as a host for the annual ITGA conference, Griffo said that colleges or universities go through an arduous proposal process listing strengths and points of pride.
“We look at who all they bring to the table and consider feedback from mayors and university presidents,” Griffo said. “With EKU, the ITGA selection committee received letters of support from Governor Beshear and Representative Ben Chandler.”
Whitt said that before ITGA announced they had awarded the 2012 conference host site to EKU last June, EKU and town leaders had assembled a skeleton conference committee.
“We weren’t over confident, but our presentation was so strong, so we had a lot of things that were pretty much in place,” Whitt said. “Once we received a positive word, we could pull the trigger and just start putting people together.”
They were intent on being prepared. And this intention should pay off after the first week of June and, Whitt said, even after that.
“I am really passionate about ITGA. I like to be a part of things where I feel like I can make a difference,” Whitt said. “I think this conference is more than just these sessions. The hallmark is the fact that it brings together so many people from so many different places to talk about the collective desire to make their college towns even better.”
For more information on the EKU ITGA Conference, visit www.itgau.org/2012conference.