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Local businesses make Wittenberg students feel at home

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By Elaine Morris Roberts, Staff Writer 8:20 PM Wednesday, August 26, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Wittenberg University students will soon know more about this city and what it has to offer, thanks to the work of one of their own.

Passport to Springfield, an event featuring more than 30 area businesses, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Aug. 27, in the basement of the Benham-Pence Student Center.

The event, in its second year, was organized by Leslie Chasteen, a senior communications major who is on community service scholarship.

“It’s pretty cool that businesses are excited to come to campus,” she said. “The event is doing what it set out to do. It’s making connections between students and the community.”

Almost half of the businesses — offering everything from hair cuts to oil changes and cultural opportunities — attending this year were represented last year.

David Deitrick, executive director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, chose to return to be sure students know his organization is out there.

“It’s an opportunity for all of us (who participate) to let (students) know about all of the wonderful things in Springfield. ...It’s a chance to talk to a number of nice young people and let them know what we have to offer” he said.

Chasteen began planing the event in May as part of her summer internship through Wittenberg’s Center for Civic and Urban Engagement.

“This event more so than others help us get at our goal of providing students with the best opportunities while they are in Springfield and possibly retaining some of them in this community,” said Stephanie McCuiston, administrative director at CCUE.

Recalling her freshman experience, Chasteen, the incoming senior class president, said she’s sure other students will find the information useful and hopes it will expand their view of every community they enter.

“The biggest (immediate) benefit is finding places to get things done that we need,” she said. “Working on projects like this one has really opened my eyes to look at a community and see what I can find that makes it special.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.

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Great program! I think too many Witt students have the idea that Springfield is a bad place and too often they spend most of their college years here without leaving campus or learning anything about Springfield. I'd like to think Witt students and Springfield residents can get to know each other a little better, and we'll all benefit from the interaction. Keep up the good work!

Bers
10:45 AM, 8/27/2009

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