Although students naturally pay close attention to changes on campus, their focus rarely includes the revolutions taking place in the greater community. Over the past four years, a movie theater, a hotel, two coffee shops, several restaurants, a liquor store and an art gallery have all sprouted up on Main Street. Furthermore, in the coming years Middletown will see increased publicity and visitors due to the opening of the Goodspeed Opera House. This city is experiencing a renaissance, and students hardly pay attention to the progress.
These changes, and the creation of a place that people do not want to leave, are the result of efforts by entrepreneurs, the city and the University that should be recognized for their goals. Rather than developing a typical college town, the changes tend to foster a safer environment while keeping businesses in Middletown that benefit the town, not just the students. Instead of losing customers to other communities, additional amenities such as the Inn at Middletown and Destinta Theater help the city.
Although the University is involved in many of these building projects, more incentive should be given to students to work in and with these local businesses before and after graduation. Such involvement is exemplified by the Community Research Seminar, a course being offered this spring that will create, and see through, projects that will benefit the larger community.
Alumni have already contributed to the cause by founding institutions such as the Buttonwood Tree, Oddfellows and Kidcity. Each of these unique places foster community involvement as well as distinct and unique forms of entertainment. It is the liberal temperament of the University that allows for these different types of development that think outside the box. For instance, Kidcity celebrates Middletown through interactive learning and miniature versions of the city.
As Middletown gets a facelift, both the Administration and the students should do everything in their power to assist. Whether it is volunteering at Kidcity, going to a restaurant or creating community projects, there is much more that this community could be doing to help Middletown. After all, without this city, where would Wesleyan be?
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