Springfield, Ohio - Wittenberg University and the City of Springfield have joined forces to help two Central European cities revitalize their urban areas.

Jeff Ankrom, professor of economics, presented a medallion from the University of Kragujevac to Wittenberg Provost Kenneth Bladh on April 5 in honor of the new cooperative relationship between Wittenberg and the Serbian institution as well as the University of Pitesti in the Romanian city of Pitesti.

Ankrom recently returned from Central Europe after meeting with government and university leaders in the two cities. The medallion was presented at a news conference announcing the cooperative relationship.

Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland, a Wittenberg religion professor, was instrumental in involving the Wittenberg’s strong urban studies program in the global-town gown alliance. Copeland had met with representatives of the Kragujevac and Pitesti city governments three times before the visit in July of last year.

Representatives of both cities and universities will be in Springfield April 24-29 to continue discussion about the new relationship.

The intent is to help develop urban studies teams at both European universities through faculty exchanges that could assist long-term urban analysis in their home cities. The relationship with Springfield officials is also intended to assist economic development, community improvement strategies as well as improve delivery of public services.

Ankrom said the Wittenberg/Springfield model is an excellent one for Pitesti and Kragujevac to study. “We here at Wittenberg have a very good relationship with the City of Springfield, and we have been sharing expertise for a long time.” This relationship has been facilitated greatly by Copeland's presence on the Springfield City Commission. The most significant result of this cooperation was a study of Springfield done by the Wittenberg Urban Studies team titled "Updating the Dream." The most recent example is a team of four public finance students who conducted an economic impact analysis for a federal economic development grant proposal by the city.

“The officials we met with in Serbia and Romania are starting to understand that this sort of relationship is a very good thing for the health of the community,” Ankrom said.

“Our long affiliation with Springfield has not only benefited our community, it has also been of great educational benefit to our students,” said Provost Bladh. “We are hopeful that this kind of city/university collaboration will be as helpful for these new partners ­- while still providing benefits for Wittenberg students.”

Ankrom added there will be an effort to establish scholarships so that Serbian and Romanian students can study at Wittenberg. Out of the relationship two Wittenberg economists will also serve as editors of the new Serbian journal “Economic Horizons.”