Every fall, Doane University students don't just move onto campus, they move into the broader Crete community. The relationship between the college and city of Crete is symbiotic, and the Celebrate Crete event demonstrated just that.
The free community event on Wednesday, September 18 offered games, free food and beverages, live entertainment, cultural booths and community resources. Nearly 1,000 people attended the event in Tuxedo Park, according to Steph Hemje, Experiential Learning Coordinator at Doane. Doane co-sponsored the event, with many athletic teams, groups and students volunteering.
Student Affairs, DEI and the Women's basketball and softball teams hosted booths, the men's golf team served food and cleaned up throughout the event. Other students helped with set-up, clean-up and serving snow cones.
"It was really fun to see the whole community come together and celebrate who Crete is!" Hemje said. "And I was so proud of our Doane students. I got so many compliments, including from the Mayor who said he was so impressed with all the students who volunteered and all that they were doing to help make this event a success!"
Hemje is not only a Doane staff member, but a Crete resident. She takes a special interest in the development of Doane students and Crete alike.
"Both Doane and the Crete community are stronger together!" Hemje said.
Doane champions education and collaboration in Crete. In return, the community offers numerous opportunities for students to build connections and gain invaluable experience through service learning, like Celebrate Crete.
