Lafayette has named six inaugural members to a planning committee that will guide development of a town-gown effort, Easton Community Partners Forum, that the College will convene to explore areas of shared interest with the city and its residents.
Formation of the planning committee was announced by President Alison Byerly during an Aug. 21 open house that the College held for residents of the College Hill neighborhood.
“I am delighted that these active and engaged citizens have accepted our invitation to help develop an effort in which College leaders will be joined by civic representatives and leaders from the business and nonprofit sectors to explore how all of us can work together to further strengthen Easton,” Byerly said.
Named to the planning committee were:
The planning committee is scheduled to meet for the first time in mid-September. Byerly and Easton Mayor Salvatore Panto will both speak at the kickoff meeting for the group.
Starace said she expected that the planning committee would meet monthly during the coming academic year to identify discussion topics and develop programming for Easton Community Partners Forum, which is expected to take place twice a year. The College has identified several potential areas for further collaboration with the community, including arts and culture, children and youth, and environmental and sustainability issues.