Like it or not, Chestertown is a college town. Residing in Chestertown since 1782, only 79 years after the town was established, Washington College has been a significant factor in the history and development of Chestertown. Indeed, today, it is the economic engine of the town.
Any college town is one that is generally dominated by the economic and social life of the higher education institution in its midst. The college is many times the largest employer in the town, as is Washington College, in Chestertown. The college as a whole and the student body are a large segment of the population of the town. These facts generally apply specifically to towns with a liberal arts college present. The college provides the town with jobs, lectures, films, musical entertainment, sports activities, and academic festivities. All of these activities generate related income, and economic benefit throughout the community. Services like off campus housing, basic services such as auto repairs, barber shops, hotels, beauty shops, medical facilities and restaurants are the recipients of increased income due to the presence of a college.
In most college towns there is a highly educated, diverse and somewhat transient population. Certainly this is true of Chestertown. There are unconventional lifestyles, cultural venues, art scenes, and in many instances, a goodly segment of liberal politics. Many college towns have become centers for technological research, development and innovative entrepreneurial enterprises. One wonders why this component of most college towns has not developed in Chestertown. With adequate and functioning infrastructure, adequate marketing, and a more welcoming attitude and the soon to be launched waterfront initiative, by Washington College, perhaps Chestertown can create a better record for research, development and entrepreneurial enterprises. Certainly the available lifestyle leads itself to these types of commercial activities. And, they are, to a significant degree, clean and green enterprises.
With the rather large influx of somewhat transient population which is found in Chestertown , approximately three quarters of any year, it is only normal that there may be different views and cultural mores which arise from time to ten this segment of the population and longstanding residents. Even businesses may experience these differences. Although different, these factors should not be schisms that divide and cause frustrations. The college population and community may exhibit lifestyles which are different from many other members of the community at large. This fact has probably existed since 1782, some 231 years ago, in Chestertown.
When considering spending power in the community where a college is located, that power may affect the cost of living which is often offset by the same such spending power and need for local goods and services.
While all towns wrestle with noise, traffic and quality of life issues, Chestertown is fortunate that some 80 plus percent of the college’s 1400 population reside on campus.
This residence requirement is mandatory for students experiencing their first and second years.
Further appropriate expansion of Washington College, throughout Chestertown, in the future, is not unimaginable. This situation would assist the college in becoming a more integrated part of the town and more visible to the residents, potential students and visitors alike. A step is this direction was taken with the purchase of the Board of Education building. The location of the Customs House near the waterfront is another example of WC’s presence in the town.
With a significant planning effort including such simple efforts as placing WC vertical banners on light poles would help promote both the college and the town. The town and the college can take many new bold steps to bolster the cooperation and marketing efforts of each entity. Renewed commitment, critical thinking, innovative thinking and the desire to link these two venerable instructions effectively will be a challenge for the new Chestertown Mayor, council and indeed the entire community. The time is now.
joe diamond says
The University is not a Convent or a Seminary, and it prepares students for the world by allowing them to learn about “the ways and principles and maxims” of the world.
“For why do we educate, except to prepare for the world? Why do we cultivate the intellect of the many beyond the first elements of knowledge, except for this world? Will it be much matter in the world to come whether our bodily health or our intellectual strength was more or less, except of course as this world is in all its circumstances a trial for the next? If then a University is a direct preparation for this world, let it be what it professes. It is not a Convent, it is not a Seminary; it is a place to fit men of the world for the world. We cannot possibly keep them from plunging into the world, with all its ways and principles and maxims, when their time comes; but we can prepare them against what is inevitable; and it is not the way to learn to swim in troubled waters, never to have gone into them.”
From Discourse IX, The Idea of a University……..John Cardinal Newman
Joe
Fletcher R. Hall says
Joe:
A very interesting observation by Cardinal Newman. The question of town gown has existed for years and years. I can remember discussions, incidents and debates fifty years ago when I graduated from WC. Times have changed and it is quite possible that the economic realities of this time in the march of history makes the relation with the largest institution in the town more urgent and necessary. Make no mistake Washington College is the ecnomic “engine” of the town in numerous ways.
It is obvious that the town needs to change and make progress in several vital ways. If a “used car” is to be rehabilitated it must include the engine. Chestertown and Washington College have mutual interests and assets, and each should capitalize on each others strengths.
joe diamond says
Hey Fletcher,
I have seen economic engines and liberal arts colleges are not in the front of the pack. Private colleges beg for income. They charge tuition to help with costs but they solicit alumni and governments for anything to keep them going. Sometimes an athletic program can attract some bucks. In rare cases an academic department can attract a grant to research something for a private corporation. Employees are overhead.
The product Washington College presents to the world is that change you can detect when you speak with a freshman and then have the same conversation four or five years later. The presidents and faculty of Washington College focus on this change. They steer and guide it. Graduates drive through the college town as they arrive and maybe look down on the place as they fly out.
I mentioned John Newman because, even though he was writing for a different audience in a different place and time, he demonstrated the point of view of a college educator. Notice he did not mention whatever you said about interacting with the local villagers.
Joe
Stephan Sonn says
Joe
This town is a dependent entity that needs a better host.
Makeover won’t work and stand alone is not in the genes.
So we are at the mercy of friends.
Stephan Sonn says
Assuming the college wanted to take things a step further would the town folk be hospitable?
If the welcome wagon is as sparse as it was for Garfield, what would be the point?
Which goes back to the outsider mentality.
fletcher r hall says
Let’s not well on “outsider mentality” We need no self fullfilling propachy. THe town and the gown need to crearte more of a nexus. This must and will happen with new attitudes, new leadership and the dictates of common sense economics.
Stu Cawley says
Stephan: Way to oversimplify. Because their proposed LED signage was turned down means that the Garfield Center is “unwelcome” in town? If the town doesn’t immediately yield to every single wish of the college, that indicates that it’s antagonistic towards it? Get real.
I don’t know if you’ve ever been in a longterm relationship, but most require a high degree of give-&-take. Why wouldn’t the same apply here? The goal is to have BOTH town & college thrive, which requires CRITICAL & creative thinking about what steps are best FOR BOTH PARTIES.
I do think there is much the town can do to make it a more welcoming place for students, & it’d be nice to see downtown benefit as a result, just as WAC’s recent waterfront acquisition offers it the potential to benefit its students & reputation by incorporating more of the area’s wonderful & unique setting into its programming.
RD Sweetman says
I was reading this and the very 1st thing that came to mind was something that Joe McClain, former President of Washington College (1973-1981) once said at talk : “The Only meaningful thing derived from a Liberal Arts College and the Education it offers is how to hold a decent conversation at a Cocktail Party.”
Just thought I’d share that with you all… 😎
Stephan Sonn says
I doubt very seriously if a college president would spend eight years of his life
promoting cocktail chatter but he certainly knew how to turn a phrase.
joe diamond says
RD,
There is a lot to be said for those parties. At times they may not be pretty but for some it is a living.
Joe
Frank Gerber says
Well reasoned Fletcher. For once we agree on something.
joe diamond says
Frank,
You funny,
Joe
Alex Smolens says
Fletcher,
To answer the question briefly:
“No.”
joe diamond says
Hey Alex,
You just have to learn to read Fletcher pieces. He uses the style of that great American and former President of the United States who has an office in the same city, named after the same other great American who gave his name to Washington College. Fletcher uses the writing style of Harry Trueman, who had an office in Washington D.C. near K street NW.
In these pieces you find Fletcher tells you what he is going to tell you. Then he tells you, sort of. Then he tells you what he told you. Frank agreed with him. You disagree. You are both correct.
Joe