It only takes a little bit of imagination to dream of what a vibrant, robust and lively local Lincoln University alumni chapter could mean for the Jefferson City community.
At college towns around the nation - including Columbia, our sister city to the north - alumni groups support local restaurants and bars with their events, lend their hands to helping out charities, cheer on the team and help their university become stronger.
We could do the same here in the Capital City.
Almost 5,000 graduates still live here, and many more people have earned credit hours from LU over the years. They work in our banks, serve as nurses, teach our kids and perform admirably for dozens of employers in the Mid-Missouri region.
It's true many people have busy lives and adding one more activity is a challenge. But having a vital, active alumni chapter would undoubtedly be a boon for our community.
It's not hard to envision a future where alumni meet up for fun pub crawls, lend their hands to the city's key charitable events and build much needed excitement around Lincoln's sporting events.
Too many of us cruise up to Columbia to watch MU's competitors, when we have student athletes with their own compelling story lines unfolding right here in town.
Lincoln University has a staff of hardworking faculty and is the home of hundreds of good students. It would behoove us to be more supportive of the university, and not just because it would be good for our own economy - although it would be.
Currently "worker bees" with the Jefferson City Chapter of the LU Alumni Association are striving to plan the 73rd annual alumni convention, scheduled for July 25-28 here in Jefferson City.
This event is a chance for our community to shine.
Although the "bees" are excited about organizing the convention, they are more than open to the idea of having additional helpers. People who want to get involved can attend the chapter's weekly planning sessions, held at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Page Library.
In an invitation to the public, the chapter's leaders exhorted: "We are growing, building and moving forward! Join us and bring your ideas and energy to the table - see you there!"
We applaud their efforts and encourage other alumni to join them.