Purdue looks to Crawfordsville for input on university's future
By Martin C. Jischke
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Crawfordsville business people, for example, tell me they especially appreciate Purdue's Technical Assistance Program, which connects companies with Purdue resources and assists them with implementing state-of-the-art technologies. Since 1986, the program has collaborated on 6,100 different projects with Indiana companies like RR Donnelley in Crawfordsville. TAP has worked with the publisher on four projects, the most recent of which involved workstation design.
Pace Dairy Foods, which manufactures cheese products, also has benefited from the TAP-administered Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center. Pace Dairy is working with the center on an advanced manufacturing training program. A total of 135 employees will receive certificates of continuous improvement upon the completion of the 55-day program.
This outreach to Indiana companies is paying great dividends. Since TAP's inception in 1986, companies have created or preserved more than 4,200 Indiana jobs while also increasing productivity. Companies that worked with TAP in 2005-06 reported an average savings and income benefit of $488,000.
Purdue's College of Agriculture also contributes to Crawfordsville's prosperity. The Gwin farm, for example, is one of several high-tech specialty crop farms that work with Purdue agricultural experts on research and educational programs.
Purdue's College of Education also has reached out to Crawfordsville. This past year, a professor worked with middle- and high-school teachers in Crawfordsville schools to integrate problem-based learning units into their curricula. With funding from the U.S. Department of Education, teachers attended workshops and university classes to familiarize themselves with this new approach, through which learning revolves around a central question such as "In what ways can we improve our city?"
Purdue Cooperative Extension also has a permanent presence in Montgomery County and serves as both an educational and economic driving force. Whether it's offering advice on solving agricultural problems or providing educational programs for both youth and adults, Extension staff make a difference on a daily basis.
To assist local governments in planning for growth, for example, Extension is a co-sponsor of the upcoming "Nitty Gritty Work of Plan Commissions" workshops. These sessions will offer a comprehensive look at community planning, including zoning and subdivision ordinances, and the legal basis for planning.
While all of these programs illustrate our valuable partnership with the business and educational sectors of Crawfordsville, it is time to consider what goals to set for the future. I ask Crawfordsville residents to consider five questions:
• How has Purdue benefited Crawfordsville, and what needs might be unmet?
• How can the university partner at the county level to accomplish even more?
• What do businesses, citizens and young people in Crawfordsville need from a major research university?
• What does Purdue need from Crawfordsville to help accomplish mutual goals?
• How can Purdue improve its learning environment to better prepare students for the future?
Ideas can be submitted to Purdue's strategic plan Web site.
Meanwhile, Purdue pledges to continue to use its resources to serve Crawfordsville. We look forward to developing even more partnerships as we fulfill our mission to reach out to the state and its citizens.
Martin C. Jischke, who came to Purdue in August 2000, is the university's 10th president. He and other university officials recently visited Crawfordsville to collaborate on the strategic plan with business and community leaders.
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