Summer’s lull in certain types of community activity came to its usual abrupt halt the past 10 days as local institutions of higher learning opened their doors for a new school year.
A burst of energy always accompanies the return of college students to Terre Haute and Vigo County. The campuses, commercial areas and city’s downtown district reap the most notable benefits — or detriments, if you prefer a more pessimistic view — of the surge.
While every college town endures its share of tensions when students return from summer break, Terre Haute in recent years has begun to more clearly recognize that the presence of area colleges and universities provide it with a big part of its personality and identity. In doing so, it also provides the community with one of its more promising paths to prosperity.
The social and economic impacts of area colleges aren’t all we need to flourish, but they are key elements in the formula. Community leaders obviously recognize that and use it to paint a positive — and totally realistic — view of the future.
Indiana State University, by virtue of its size and geographic location, is the anchor of the higher education community. This fall, ISU marks a major development in its master plan by opening the new Scott College of Business in the former Federal Building at the corner of Seventh and Cherry Streets.
The university since its inception has been an urban campus that borders Terre Haute’s downtown. But last year’s opening of the building housing the Barnes and Noble Bookstore and ISU Foundation offices, and this year’s opening of the business school, officially brings ISU across Cherry Street and into the downtown district in a major way. The next phase of ISU development may well place student housing in downtown locations, including on Wabash Avenue.
While ISU’s expansion deeper into downtown represents a major change for the community, we see it as a positive development and one that helps make an important section of the city more vital and vibrant.
We would, however, be naïve to ignore the potential problems that can occur. One need only look back to the recent fatal shooting of an ISU student outside of a tavern bordering the campus to understand the community must be vigilant in reacting quickly and effectively to safety and security concerns to ensure that tragic incidents such as this remain rare.
ISU’s is not the only significant higher education presence here. Not by a long shot. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on the city’s east side is smaller, but its national reputation as an undergrad engineering school bolsters the community’s image in the state and throughout the Midwest.
Likewise, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, the small liberal arts school for women, provides an element of educational and gender diversity uncommon in most college towns.
Vocational schools such as Ivy Tech State College and Harrison College also add to the array of choices available to people who want to better themselves through higher education. And the presence of these institutions make our community better in many other ways as well.
We extend our welcome to the returning students, and we’re anxious to see what new and exciting benefits our colleges bring to Terre Haute in the coming school year. We anticipate there will be many.
Opinion
EDITORIAL: Terre Haute continues to develop its college-town personality
Students bring new energy to community
- Opinion
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The celebration season
Spring has been a bit elusive at times in 2013, which is its nature.
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RONN MOTT: Frustration
For those who know me well, they can say without contradiction I am not a patient man. But in this hustle and bustle world I’ve been a part of all my adult life, I’ve had to learn a little patience. On occasion, however, I find some experiences extremely frustrating.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: MVC tourney an event worth having
It’s been a long time since the Missouri Valley Conference chose Indiana State University to host its post-season baseball tournament, but Terre Haute had never been more prepared for an event such as this.
- READERS' FORUM: May 23, 2013
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EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
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READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
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RONN MOTT: Rabid Republicans
The so-called news people at Fox News can hardly sit still long enough to report on the latest gossip or untruth about our sitting President. They can hardly contain themselves.
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READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
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LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
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Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
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EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
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READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
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EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
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RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
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Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
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Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
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RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
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READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
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READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
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MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
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GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages
Being a nurse … Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.
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READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
- More Opinion Headlines
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The celebration season
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Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Jersey Shore Open for Business
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
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Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Today in History May 24
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
