Students meet community at PSU fair

Pickles on a stick, hamburgers, ice cream bites and other food items were just an introduction for hungry Pittsburg State students to the community at Wednesday’s Community Fair.
This year, 75 vendors packed the Pittsburg State campus to promote the products, churches, activities, causes, and companies of southeast Kansas.
Last year, the number was closer to 70.
But besides just the boost in vendors, Edie McCracken, PSU program coordinator for campus activities, said there was a noticeable boost in student attendance, as well.
“Attendance is definitely up,” McCracken said. “In the past, we’ve had slow times when students are in classes or for whatever reason. This year, we haven’t had any slow times. We’ve had a lot of students all day. Most vendors have given out all they brought out today.”
The event has been taking place longer than McCracken, who has been with PSU for eight years, can remember. The event, designed to let new Gorillas feel more at home in a new community, lasted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“What we want is students that are not from Pittsburg to get to know what the city and the surrounding communities have to offer,” McCracken said. “We do this as a service to businesses to try to get to the students, and we do this for the students to introduce them to the businesses.”
But sometimes that’s not all that happens.
Bill Cochran, representing both SKIL Resource Center and the Multigenerational Universally Accessible Playground Project, said he received a bit of a surprise for the playground while working the fair.
“We had a gentleman come by and pledge us $1,000,” Cochran said. “We had been in contact with him before, but he came by to tell us for sure. Several people have also discussed visiting our community Web site, where they would like to make a donation. It’s been an extremely productive day.”
Ultimately, the draw for students of course turns back to free — free food, free sign-ups, free chances to win.
“There was a lot here,” said Adrienne Hobbs, PSU freshman from Lamar, Mo. “There were lots of interesting things. The community seemed friendly. I really liked it when people came up and would ask if you want this or that. Freebies are always good.”

Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.