According to the 2014 census, the Midwest farming town of Lamoni has an average of 2,404 individuals—which is a 1.69% decrease from 2010. In addition to the city population, Graceland University pulls in about 1,500 students. With a three to five ratio of students to Lamoni citizens, there is a high demand of collaboration and communication in order to preserve the delicate coexistence.
The linchpin of the association relies on Lamoni’s mayor. The current mayor, Doug Foster, is a science professor at Graceland and is a farmer in the community. He is not the only mayor the town has appointed that has been directly connected to both communities. In an interview with Dr. Ron, who has been an active member in Lamoni and a mathematics…show more content… Initially, there was not any tension between the members of Lamoni and the community of Graceland. However, money and political perspectives created a wedge between the two. Originally, Graceland University allowed Lamoni public school to use the Shaw main stage and space for band, choir, and orchestra concerts. The acoustics that the stage provided is immeasurable when compared to the acoustics of a gym. In a gym there is an invisible zone referred to has a sound barrier. This barrier is well known by all who have had to endure playing or listening to music within the cement block walls of a gym. Essentially what happens with the sound barrier is that the music doesn't fully reach the ears of the audience because the acoustics of the gym cancel out the powerful forces of the music. To the listeners, the ensembles appear dull and lacking harmony. When playing in a space designed for projection and harmony, all the individual sounds are able to weave together and resonate with each audience member. Before the renovations of the Shaw center, the Lamoni school was able to provide this experience for their friends, parents, relatives, guardian, teachers, and other attendees. Since the update of the space, there has been an added rental fee that even Lamoni cannot escape when using the Shaw. This fee is 400 dollars plus 10 dollars for every hour that David, the Shaw director, dedicates to the event. Due to the already stretched money for the public school, Lamoni is unable to rent or borrow the main stage. The Shaw main stage is not used constantly throughout the year due to the addition of the JR Black Box and Carol Hall. In addition, Graceland University has significantly more money and resources so that if Lamoni public school were to use the stage, they would barely cause a reduction in Graceland funds. The university would only need to pay David, who would work the lights form the performance and then the preceding
