MU | F e a t u r e s
charms on her bicycle – cruising past
historic Victorian homes and porch-rimmed
bungalows along tree-lined streets. The
trees in North Manchester “are absolutely
beautiful,” she adds.
Vivien also biked to her internship, where she
helped Executive Director Laura Rager with
the Chamber’s economic development efforts
that include supporting local businesses and
attracting shoppers and tourists. Rager, who
grew up in nearby Wabash, Ind., praises MU
students like Vivien who get involved in the
life of North Manchester. “It gives them an
opportunity to have a sense of community
and a real sense of belonging,” says Rager.
“This isn’t just where they go to school. This
is their community too.”
Rager says she shares the vision of MU
President Dave McFadden ’82 and others
who want to more fully integrate the life
of the town with that of the University.
Likely, that would include further connecting
MU students with the downtown business
district – a charming blend of Victorian-era
architecture, updated infrastructure, and oneof-a-kind shops within walking distance of
campus.
McFadden, who also spent much of his
childhood in North Manchester, and his wife
Renée left when they graduated from MU in
1982. They moved as far as they could, Dave
says, to southern California. “We didn’t think
we’d ever come back.” But eventually there
was something that beckoned the McFaddens
to return to a place where people know each
From top: Emily Haecker ’17 enjoys a frozen treat with
friend Hayleigh Collett at Dairy Queen; Emily, Hayleigh
and Jim Sainsbury ’17 kick the soccer ball at Warvel Park;
Vivien Carter ’16 works alongside Laura Rager at the North
Manchester Chamber of Commerce; Vivien enjoys her
favorite coffee drink with friends Hannah Glenn ’16 and
Caniece Leggett ’16 at The KenapocoMocha Coffee Shop;
and Sara Cruz ’16 (seated, second from left) is joined by
(seated from left) Beth McKenney ’17, Trevor Hafner and
DaiJah Asumang ’16 for their regular Friday night meal at
Zook’s in downtown North Manchester.
Bottom two photos by Michele Marie Photography
16 |
other and value community. “I could have
lived anywhere,” he says. “I chose here.”
Vivien, Jim, Sara, Emily and about 1,200
undergraduates chose North Manchester
too. “There’s always someone to do things
with,” says Vivien, who knows she has the
rest of her life to live in big cities if that’s
where her career takes her. For now though,
she’s enjoying this underrated gem of a
college town. “North Manchester is quiet,”
she says, “in a very good way.”