Grads, make Howard home

Opinion

Discussion

May 8, 2009

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Fri May 08, 2009, 12:20 AM EDT

Indiana University Kokomo will graduate 525 students Tuesday. The School of Nursing will graduate the most; 139 will receive bachelor’s degrees and 45 will earn a master’s.

Wednesday, 23 students of Kokomo’s Purdue University College of Technology will graduate. And Thursday, Ivy Tech Community College graduates will receive diplomas in ceremonies here in Kokomo.

It is our wish that the hard work and sacrifice of these graduates will be rewarded in this difficult economy. We hope they begin the next phase of their lives in the Kokomo area. And if not here, then in Indiana.

A 2006 analysis published by The Associated Press showed cities with few college graduates have difficulty providing good-paying jobs and struggle to attract workers with university degrees. College graduates raise the base income of a community, according to the report, which was based on the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey of 2004.

The median income of the average American with a four-year college degree was $42,404, the report said, compared to $25,360 for the average high school graduate. About a quarter of Americans over the age of 24 have a bachelor’s degree.

In Howard County, however, just 18 percent of residents have at least a four-year degree. Here, the per-capita income for all residents is $23,424, and 16.2 percent of residents live below the poverty level.

There’s a “brain drain” in Indiana. The Hoosier state ranks near the bottom nationally in retaining and employing its college graduates, and schools here are working on remedies for the problem.

Unfortunately, the state of the economy isn’t assisting that endeavor.

Despite that, we congratulate the graduates of Kokomo’s IU, Purdue and Ivy Tech campuses. We salute their individual achievements and encourage them to make Howard County their permanent home.

This area has a lot to offer. And our graduates have a lot to offer this area.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

Forever thankful
Monday is Memorial Day, a national holiday to remember those who have died while serving our country.

Memorial Day officially

May 26, 2012
Cheers and Jeers - Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thanks for your kindness

Terry Siegrist, a paralegal in Salina, Kan., sends this Cheer:

“The family of the late Esther Sprinkle wishes to send our heartfelt thanks to all who gave so generously of their kindness and sympathy in the death of our beloved mother and grandmother. We especially want to thank those who visited us at the funeral home and sent flowers, cards, memorials or food.

May 25, 2012
USPS scales back plans
The issue: Postal Service plans to keep smaller post offices open.

Our view: Agency deserves credit for listening to the concerns of customers.

May 25, 2012
Sign change is overdue
A colleague of ours years ago said Indiana lawmakers should change the state motto to “We’ll Get Around to It.” His observation is both funny and sad.

May 23, 2012 1 Story
Tips on flag etiquette
Monday is Memorial Day – set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives in this nation’s wars. Lots of folks fly the flag every day as a show of patriotism, but what many might not know is that there are specific rules outlined in the U.S. Flag Code concerning its display.

May 21, 2012
Cheers & Jeers - Saturday, May 19, 2012
Carriers collect 19 tons of food

Brian S. Kidwell of Branch 533 of the letter carriers union sends this Cheer:

May 19, 2012
Walk a lap, fight cancer
Before you read any farther, stop for a second and think about what this one word means to you: cancer.

May 18, 2012
Program eyes troubled kids
If you know a teenager who has gotten off track, Elissa Andersen might be just the person to call.

May 16, 2012
Editorial - May 15, 2012: Hard work still pays
The issue: The Class of 2012.

Our view: Congratulations on your achievement, graduating high school seniors, and remember to thank those who helped you along the way to success.

May 15, 2012
de la Bastide: Indiana, the nation lose true statesman
During his 36 years in the U.S. Senate, Richard Lugar was noted for his ability to compro-mise when it came to legislation impacting the nation, and as a statesman when it came to foreign policy issues.

May 15, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Grads, make Howard home

Site Map

Contact Us