Zoo chief search
Emporia will begin its search soon for a new permanent director for the David Traylor Zoo of Emporia.
Zoo Foreman Lisa Keith has been interim director of the city-owned zoo since Steve Trebilcock resigned as director June 18.
The zoo, in Soden’s Grove at the south end of Commercial Street, is one of the smallest accredited zoos in the United States and is named for the former director who turned it from a small menagerie to a civic treasure.
City Manager Matt Zimmerman said Tuesday afternoon the city would begin advertising the opening soon.
“We had always planned to advertise in the fall,” he said, “with an eye to hire for Jan. 1.
“I expect to have an advertisement out in the next three or four weeks with a view toward hiring for Jan. 1.”
Zimmerman said he and Assistant City Manager Mark McAnarney would work together to identify candidates and fill the position.
Forum on ESU plan
According to a news release, dozens of meetings and hundreds of hours of work have gone into development of Emporia State University’s new strategic plan. Now, members of the committee which developed the plan are asking for community input.
The strategic plan will be the subject of an open forum from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Greek Room of ESU’s Memorial Union. The public is encouraged to attend.
Five themes have been developed for the plan: enhancing academic excellence, increasing opportunities for partnerships, expanding international learning opportunities, improving communication among stakeholders and providing an attractive and welcoming environment for students, employees and visitors.
More information about plan is available online at www.emporia.edu/strategicplanning.