There’s a lot of buzz right now about Zac Burden becoming the new mayor. Whether or not you agree with the decision and like Burden in the position, we think it’s pretty cool that someone so closely tied to Truman State University is involved in the community. But, even better, you don’t have to be mayor to be invested in Kirksville.
We, The Index Editorial Board, think staff, faculty and students at Truman should immerse themselves in the Kirksville community. We recognize this town is not everyone’s cup of tea, but we are all a part of something so much bigger than just the Truman campus.
This little town in Northeast Missouri is a place many of us can call home most of the time, so we should all want to invest ourselves in it, even if it’s only temporary. Let’s face it: many of us won’t be here in 20 years, but this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t embrace all that Kirksville has to offer now.
One great way to get involved is by taking advantage of the great things about summers in Kirksville. With opportunities like the Kiwanis Farmers’ Market, Summer on the Square (where various bands perform throughout the summertime) and even the NEMO Fair, we think there is no better time to meet new people and our community leaders, and become invested in our area. The school year can be a busy time, so as your schedule frees up, find something to do outside of the vacated University.
Staff, faculty and students can also connect to the community through service. We commend the Truman faculty and students who helped support the Pantry for Adair County throughout Greek Week, the Buddy Pack Program with UpChuckles and AM Housing with a benefit concert at Take Root Cafe. These were all admirable ways the Truman community supported the Kirksville area, and we encourage Truman to continue finding ways to serve the community.
We, The Index Editorial Board, think it’s important to remember Kirksville is more than just the city where Truman is located. Kirksville is a community we are a part of. So visit the local shops around The Square, learn about the Northeast Missouri culture or even attend the next Kirksville City Council meeting.