JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- It was all things Kirksville Wednesday at the Capitol Building in Jefferson City. From Truman and A. T. Still to the Chamber of Commerce and Kirksville Regional Economic Development Inc. (K-REDI), Kirksville was well represented.
From research projects to billboards Truman and Kirksville shared center stage at the Capitol Building. Both were on a mission to show off!
“This is really an opportunity for Truman State University to come to the capitol and really showcase everything that we have to offer our wonderful students, the kinds of projects that they’re working on, just so no one forgets us up in Northeast Missouri,” Truman State University President Elect Dr. Troy Paino, J.D., Ph.D.
There were also politics at work on Capitol Hill.
“We try to make sure that we have students who represent the entire state, different districts so their legislatures can come and see the wonderful work that they’re doing up at Truman State and to remind those legislatures that we are a state institute, we have a state mission and so their support is important as well,” said Paino.
“I usually tell them my major, how I’m doing in school like what I’m involved in usually who my parents are, where I’m from so they know specifically. They usually know my parents actually. I’m from a small area so you know how that goes and also how amazing Truman is and we hope education is a priority,” said Student Senate President JoEllen Flanagan.
But the 30 some students attending aren’t the only Bulldogs walking around the capitol. Many interns working at the capitol attend Truman.
“Those of us that are fortunate enough to have a Truman intern in our offices feel very fortunate and the legislatures that do not have a Truman intern are quite jealous,” said Missouri District 2 State Representative Rebecca McClanahan.
Everyone had a mission today. Whether it was educational…
“To talk to a senator or talk to our representatives and explain what we’re doing at Truman so they have a better understanding of what goes on up there,” said Truman State University Student Michael Brelsford.
Or business…
“We have provided a mesh bag and it says visitkirksville.com which is our tourism website and then also a bottle of hand sanitizer with that label,” said Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandra Williams
Kirksville stole the show.
“It was an honor for me to give recognition not only to the city of Kirksville but to the Chamber and to the Truman students and to the nursing students and faculty that were here today. So I was able to brag on them on the floor of the house this morning. So that was great!” said McClanahan.
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