There are often Bucknell University students engaged with different non-profits in Lewisburg in a variety of capacities, but this semester brings us a bumper crop of student projects focused on Elm Street program areas.  At the moment, we are aware of 3 Management groups, 2 Geography groups, 1 Engineering independent study, and 1 extracurricular student group currently looking at ways to help out in the Borough.  In addition, there is one more Engineering student finalizing the details for his internship with the LNC for this summer.

What are they all doing?  Good question.

MANAGEMENT

• There's a MGMT 101 class or "company" that is going to be selling a product on campus and then applying their earnings from that endeavor to raising awareness about water both internationally and locally.  That last bit translates into riverbank clean up as well as, depending on water levels, an in-river clean up this spring plus a block party/open house in the North Ward Neighborhood.
• There's another group in an upper level Management class that will be looking into developing a business plan for the Top Floor Studio which operates out of the Chamberlain Building on Market St and offers kids open studio time and experience.
• And a new Management Innovation and Design class is looking at the northern segment of Hufnagle Park, in the area north of Market St and thinking about pedestrian connections between the rail trail extension and campus.  They are collaborating with the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail Committee.

GEOGRAPHY

• One Geography group is looking at the history of and possible future restoration configurations for Bull Run as it moves through Hufnagle Park.
• Another Geography group is investigating the history of the park and neighborhood from an urban design standpoint and considering future options in light of the ongoing flood mitigation project.

ENGINEERING

• The independent study student will start working directly with the LNC after spring break in order to plan out and collect data for a parking study of the North Ward Neighborhood, in direct response to resident concerns raised during discussions about impacts of a possible trail extension.  (The summer intern will be working with the data collected by the independent study student during the semester and doing more extensive analysis as well as researching possible proposals for the area.)

EXTRACURRICULAR

• There is a new chapter on campus of an international organization called Net Impact.  This group also consists largely of Management students who want to bring their skills to bear for causes they support.  Specifically at the moment, they are looking into finding students who can help local businesses make the most of social media in order to alleviate the adverse impacts of location or large scale competition.

How does this relate to Elm Street?  In one way or another, each of these groups is working to enhance walkability, local business viability, long range planning, and connection with the natural resources of the area.  Many of them are taking on Asset Enhancement whether with the physical components of the area like the river or the cultural aspects in the form of the businesses.  Several are proposing activities which will enhance the Image and Identity of the borough and its neighborhoods.  Most of it ties directly into bigger Masterplanning and Design goals whether in the immediate future or longer term.  And, it's quite likely the river awareness group may wind up enhancing our appreciation for the Safe, Clean & Green aspects of river town living in the coming months.

More power to them and let's all stay tuned for ways we can join in.