While attempting to get at the heart of what makes Spokane so unique, many point to the conspicuous absence of a major state university. Just try and name a city on the west coast that is as large without one. Each of the surrounding towns schooling us (ha ha) on the ‘perceptive per-capita culture scale’ boast this asset. Missoula, Bellingham, Boise and Eugene spring instantly to mind.
Forecasters seem to argue against the feasibility of a Spokane State University, but what if we reaped some of the benefits by forming an Alumni Society instead? The idea here is to promote the filial economic and social habits of a collegiate alumni society on a city wide scale. Basically, to incorporate the Spokane diaspora. Our mascot could be the Fighting Marmots . . . how cute!
This concept was introduced to me by visionary Christopher M. Kelley. As a godfather of the Phoenix Project, an economic incubator program proposed for the U-District’s Jensen-Byrd building, he’s been known to throw around an excellent idea or two.
Spokane Alumni would stay updated on local developments, and would consult the Office of Alumni Relations (i.e. Economic Development Commission) on potential business opportunities, referrals and talent for the taking. If we’re going to be sending our best and brightest off to the mega cities of the world, we might as well be making good use of them while they’re there!
The Spokane Alumni Society would foster a sense of positive collective identity on behalf of its members. The existing Homecoming Spokane program works with Alumns that are ready to come back for more. Relationships could be established between SAS and the other alumni societies of Whitworth, Gonzaga, WSU/EWU Spokane and the community colleges to pool key demographic data and cross promote.
The Portland Development Commission has already implemented this kind of program and they call it Portland Ambassadors. Let’s rip-off their idea and make it our own!
“When Washington state officials decided, in 1889, to locate Eastern Washington’s big land-grant college in Pullman, Spokane suffered a blow it feels to this day.”
Read more from this article in the archives of The Easterner.
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I heard the Jensen building was going to be turned into student apartments with community shops below….