Jackson County needs a 2-year or 4-year college

To the Editor:

Jackson County needs a two-year or four-year college.

As the graduating class of 2008 prepares to walk across the stage, many of them have already solidified plans to attend two- or four-year colleges. Many of them plan to attend Indiana schools such as IU, Purdue and Ball State. Others plan to attend two-year colleges such as Ivy Tech or Vincennes. What you will not find is a graduating student who plans to attend college in Seymour.

I recently attended a graduation at Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus. I was surprised to see how many Jackson County residents I saw in attendance as well as walking across the stage to graduate with various degrees. It was at this point that I realized Jackson County needs an institution of higher education to meet the demands of the citizens, both graduating high school students and adult learners who desire to better themselves through education.

One can make the assumption that those who attend distant colleges also take their money and commerce away from Seymour. From an economic standpoint, a college located here in Jackson County would equate to more jobs for qualified teachers, more money spent locally on gas and food and a more educated population that would remain in the area after graduation.

One can also assume that a college that provides advanced degrees would also draw a number of attendees from outside the local area. Those students would bring with them money for gas, food, lodging and entertainment.

A quick look outside Jackson County will re-veals various colleges in Sellersburg, Madison and Columbus. One may ask what these Indiana towns have that Seymour does not? On the surface it is hard to answer this question as it appears that these towns are a mirror image of Seymour.

I feel this issue is well worth discussion as the futures of our children and our county are directly connected to each other.  With gas prices rising as fast as college tuition, Jackson County and its citizens deserve a local solution to educating those who wish to attend two-year or four-year institutions of higher learning.

Billy Smith
Seymour, Ind.