SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University has been a part of the Selinsgrove community for many years. There is a lot for students to do at the university, and many do not leave campus.
Meryl Czeponis would like to see that change. She is a member of the university's Student Government Association and is partnering with Selinsgrove Projects Inc. to help bridge the gap between the university and downtown businesses.
"Susquehanna and the town of Selinsgrove are such amazing places to be part of the community, and I have a feeling this is going to be the final step to connect the students to show them how easy it is to be a member of the Selinsgrove community," Meryl Czeponis said.
It's called the Adopt-a-Business initiative, and it's been in the works since last year. Czeponis says members of Susquehanna University's student-run organizations are each partnered with a downtown business. Students will visit that business every other week.
"Work on beautification projects, keeping the storefronts nice to benefit downtown Selinsgrove and the business. In turn, the business will promote any events and activities the club or organization is doing," Czeponis said.
"Weekends, we see a lot of SU kids down here, but then there's some who never make their way downtown. They just don't leave campus," said Glenn Wagner, manager of the Kind Cafe.
Wagner thinks the project will be a win-win for both Susquehanna University and downtown Selinsgrove.
"There are people that traditionally don't make their way down here—students, people coming to visit—that will make their way downtown to help support the local businesses here," Wagner said.
The Adopt-a-Business initiative kicks off Monday.