News

The history between the two has been long and beneficial. Both hold a mutual vision and desire to see their shared space grow and thrive. To that end, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) and the City of Edwardsville held their partnership kickoff celebration Monday, Sept. 9 in SIUE’s Lovejoy Library Friend’s Corner. 

“Edwardsville is a special place for both the community and the campus,” said Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton. “You don’t hear about a growing university and a dying community, or vice versa. I see us growing together, and I’m excited about working with SIUE’s Successful Communities Collaborative.” 

“This partnership is one of the best ways we can help realize SIUE’s mission of shaping a changing world,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “It will give our students a chance to take the skills and concepts that our faculty pass along, and apply them in the real world. 

“I’m also excited that this collaboration will give our community partners a chance to see our fantastic students and meet our outstanding faculty,” continued Pembrook. “I thank the City of Edwardsville for its partnership in this program.” 

Patton and Pembrook were two of several special guests at the press conference where SSCC announced the City of Edwardsville as its newest community partner. 

“Although the City of Edwardsville may consider us partners for life based on our location, this particular endeavor will allow us to extend the work of faculty and students in new, different and especially intentional ways, said Mary Ettling, interim director of the SIUE Office of Educational Outreach. “We are enriching lives through learning. I cannot wait to see what the SSCC and the City will accomplish in the coming year.” 

The three projects on tap are Earth Edwardsville, Parking Downtown and an Ice Rink and Teen Center. 

“Recycling, energy conservation and other environmental sustainability efforts have goals to see the Earth sustained well beyond my years,” said Patton. “Then there is downtown parking project,” he added. “Without adequate parking, we will see businesses fall off. We want to engage students on what are the best ways to get to downtown. What are the transportation goals of the future?” 

A sports fan, especially hockey, the Edwardsville mayor expressed his pleasure on seeing an ice rink and teen center built. “Many communities revolve around weekend sports,” offered Patton. “Just as SIUE went to Division I, we’re trying to make our community a destination for sports. It will also be great for the economy.” 

“This is SSCC’s biggest year yet,” said Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and SSCC director. “We are expecting somewhere between 250-350 students. We are excited because Edwardsville is our shared place. Let’s get started on this great partnership.” 

SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) is a cross-disciplinary program that supports one-year partnerships between the University and communities in Illinois to advance local resilience and sustainability based on community-identified environmental, social, and economic issues and needs. Our mission is to connect Illinois communities with the dynamic resources of students and faculty of SIUE. 

Photos:
Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton talks about future work with the City of Edwardsville and the SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative. 

SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook notes that the new partnership helps the University continues its mission of shaping a changing world.