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Representatives of �鶹ӰԺ and the city of �鶹ӰԺ were in Buffalo, N.Y., to accept the Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town-Gown Association (ITGA). The award honors the town-gown relationship that best represents the spirit of ITGA.

The �鶹ӰԺ State team included Todd Diacon, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost; Greg Jarvie, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; Tom Euclide, associate vice president for Facilities Planning and Operations; Shay Little, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students ; and Pete Mahoney, special coordinator at the Center for Student Involvement.

The city of �鶹ӰԺ was represented by Dave Ruller, city manager; Councilman Garret Ferrara; Michelle Hartman, president of the �鶹ӰԺ Area Chamber of Commerce; and Lori Wemhoff, executive director at the �鶹ӰԺ Area Chamber of Commerce.

“This presentation best exemplified a town and university working together cohesively and promoting partnership and resources between all entities including the town, university, leaders, students, faculty and staff, neighborhood residents and businesses,” says Beth Bagwell, ITGA program director.

Larry Abernathy, the former mayor of Clemson, S.C., had a passion for town-gown collaborative efforts, and it was through his initiatives that the ITGA was created in 2003. The first Larry Abernathy award was presented on June 5 at the annual ITGA conference in Buffalo, N.Y.

“The spirit of collaboration that we have fostered has allowed us to undertake some truly transformational projects,” says �鶹ӰԺ State President Lester A. Lefton. “We are committed to building an exciting future for �鶹ӰԺ State, the city and beyond. I’m enormously proud to be part of a community that is making such meaningful contributions to a regional renaissance.”

The ITGA award also recognizes the ongoing collaborative efforts between the city and the university.

�鶹ӰԺ State representatives keep in regular contact with city officials, creating a more open and productive environment.

Click here to read more about the university-city partnership on several downtown �鶹ӰԺ redevelopment projects.