Evangel students win grand prize in Community Vision Challenge
April 14, 2010
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications (417) 865-2815, ext. 7292
Springfield Mayor Jim O'Neal (center) with the Evangel University Community Vision Challenge Team, which won first place in a city- and county- sponsored contest for area universities. The students did research and made a presentation on long-range community planning. See more photos.
Springfield, Mo — Evangel University students won the first-ever Excellence in Community Visioning Challenge award presented by the Springfield City Council and Greene County Commission on Tuesday, April 13.
Evangel was one of four teams to participate in the first Community Visioning Challenge for Springfield high-school and college students. The project, part of the long-range strategic planning process, was designed to engage younger citizens to envision Springfield's future by addressing the question: "What city characteristics, features and amenities would make you want to live in Springfield for the next 20 years?"
Each team submitted a written report and then made a 10-minute presentation to the Council and Commission members today at Council Chambers in Historic City Hall. Other awards presented were:
- Top Written Proposal: Evangel University
- Methodology Award: Ozarks Technical Community College
- Feasibility Award: Drury University
- Excellence in Engagement: Evangel University
- Most Visionary: Springfield Public Schools
The Evangel team surveyed 723 students from its 1,400-member student body and its survey results showed the highest interest among students in downtown development, particularly activities and safety; city infrastructure, including health-care services and public safety; environmental issues, including cleanliness and beautification; and the economy, with a priority on job opportunities for young people and maintaining the low costs of living.
The winning students received a plaque from the City, along with a night at Hammons Field with the opportunity to throw out the first pitch, which was donated by the Springfield Cardinals. The winning team was comprised of Derek Neill, Camille Reid, Bethany Sprenkle, Kaitlyn Thompson, Nickolas Boeser, Brandon Cadwell, Stephen Robertson, Jordan Foster and Margaret Hill.
Future goals involving job creation, environmental sustainability, transportation, education and recreational activities were consistent themes throughout all of the presentations. The input from these presentations will be provided to the citizen committees currently working on the new long-range strategic plan.
The full video of today's presentations and awards is available on the City Web site at: www.springfieldmo.gov/cityview under the "Tuesdays with Council" programming section. Copies of the Powerpoint presentations from each group are linked at: www.springfieldmo.gov/cityconnect.