Bowling Green’s prominent city leaders offer insight for both incoming freshmen and veteran University students to help them maximize their college experience.
“Students should enjoy their home away from home,” Bowling Green Mayor Richard Edwards said. “Take advantage of our resources and opportunities for personal development.”
Often times students make the mistake of limiting their time and involvement to on-campus activities when there is an entire city and local community to gain invaluable experiences from.
“Get involved because there’s a lot that this community has to offer apart from the University,” Bowling Green Police Chief Tony Hetrick said. “Go downtown, and see what there is. We have great parks and facilities. We have a lot of boards and commissions where there is always student activity or student involvement. There’s opportunities for everyone here apart from just staying on campus.”
From this weekend’s National Tractor Pull competition to the annual, Sep. 8 Black Swamp Arts Festival, students can undoubtedly find unique events to branch out and connect with the city.
“You’re here to get your education, but you can also take the time to benefit from the local community,” Councilman Bruce Jeffers said.
Students looking for every opportunity to learn something new can greatly benefit from some of the city events hosted by local organizations. On Sep. 14 at the Wood County District Library, Mayor Edwards will be delivering the opening remarks at the Immigration Misunderstood panel discussion where all University students and residents are welcome to learn and engage in conversation with immigration policy experts.
When reflecting on their time as public servants, the city leaders also point to efforts and initiatives that make the community so inclusive and conducive to a successful scholarly career.
“I love it, I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else,” Hetrick said. “This place has offered me so much in terms of opportunity, advancement and getting to know really good people. I’ve looked at a lot of other places and Bowling Green is unique in that when there’s something that needs to be done people come together to get it done. I think you see that in initiatives like Not In Our Town. Everyone is willing to pitch in and work to make things better.”
Jeffers also referenced the significance of the Bowling Green Community Action Plan city council is engaging in to entice investors into putting their money into the local community.
“It has been an interesting, challenging and wonderful opportunity to serve a community I love so much,” Edwards said. “Get to know the city, and realize the opportunity the BG community has to offer.”