LAST WEEK, 700 graduates said goodbye to Emporia State University and now they will venture on to the next chapters of their lives. For many of the graduates, that next chapter will mean leaving Emporia.
We hate to see students leave because Emporia has much to offer. But we hope that after the students bounce around in the big cities that they will remember Emporia and think of coming back.
With good schools, quality health care, affordable living and a friendly community, Emporia is nice place to raise a family.
When it comes to starting a business, the opportunities are endless. Whether your ideas are commercial, industrial or retail business — dreams can be achieved. Emporia inventors such as Don and D.J. Glaser, Carl Didde and Bud and Gene Hopkins proved that small ideas can be developed into international successes right here in Emporia.
Emporia also has a wonderful location. We are close to the hustle and bustle of big cities. Kansas is in the middle of the country and it is easy to get anywhere. But wherever we travel, we find it is nice to come home to a little slower pace.
So to the graduates, we say congratulations and we hope you take with you many fond Emporia memories.
But remember, Emporia is a nice place to call home and settle down with a family to live, work and play.
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
Agreed! As one of those who "bounce around in the big cities," I enjoy coming "home" to Emporia. And, Emporia State University is certainly an anchor that weighs heavily upon our hearts.
Now, if only airfare were cheaper, these visits wouldn't be as infrequent.
Brian Protheroe
San Francisco, CA
May 17, 2007 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JessicaNelson (anonymous) says...
This town has gone down the tubes.
May 17, 2007 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
A city/town is as good as the citizens want it to be. Civic involvement is the best way to make change.
BP
SF, CA
May 17, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
In fact, I am looking forward to my Kansas Vacation, next week. It will be so nice to stroll down Commerical Street, once again. Sometimes it takes moving away before you learn to appreciate what you had.
BP
SF, CA
May 17, 2007 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lurker75 (anonymous) says...
BP. Be sure to go early in the morning down to the Granda Coffee Shop. Don't know if you've ever been there but just sitting and relaxing in their big chairs, listening to the jazz and soaking up the atmosphere is truly theraputic. Really feel a small town, main street vibe. Welcome home.
May 18, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
I've grew up in a Los Angeles suburb (population ~1 gazillion), went to college in two slightly smaller cities in California, got a masters degree in Las Vegas, a PhD in Albuquerque (population ~350,000), then moved to Emporia in 1999. It took about a year to get used to the small city life, but for the last 7 years it's felt more like home than anywhere else I've ever been. There are so _many_ things about Emporia and about Kansas that I love. Really. This _is_ home.
May 18, 2007 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
To "traceygraham" - Thank you for your post. I was raised in Emporia, and remained there until one week after my graduation from ESU. This large town is a terrific place to spend one's youth.
I do consider myself a bit a transient as I do enjoy experiencing new places, new people... and new horizons; as Mr. Walker wrote, "bouncing around the big cities." The experience has given me appreciation for new ways of thinking and seeing the world around us. In a way, it's like getting a new perspective on life, learning to appreciate others... almost like finding common ground with persons whom I would never have had the opportunity to interact had I not taken the "leap" into the unkown. That said, I don't know that I will ever relocate back to Emporia. But as I said before, I always enjoy going back "home."
To "lurker75" - I will certainly stop in at the Granada Coffee Shop. Thank you!
Brian Protheroe,
San Francisco, CA
May 21, 2007 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )