To the editor:

Your editorial (“Strong start,” Oct. 23) is an apt reminder of the largely unappreciated value that Haskell Indian Nations University adds to the Lawrence community, as well as its remarkable history of service to Indian country.

You also commended Haskell’s new president, Linda Warner, for recognizing the potential for support from the university’s alumni. You could have mentioned how the local community might help advance the HINU mission. This issue could hardly be more timely as the Lawrence school district opens discussion with Haskell about improvements needed for Haskell Stadium, the large, legendary football stadium that perhaps has been utilized more by the school district than by the university itself.

The situation raises the question of whether community leaders will recognize it as an opportunity to work with Haskell rather than around it. Clearly this is a chance for meaningful cooperation. Rather than relying entirely on the tax base for updating the stadium, perhaps local leaders could lobby state and federal agencies to offer funds to match private funds raised from foundations, corporations, individuals and families.

The Journal-World could play a key role in such a campaign. If the paper supported the effort as strongly as it supported the hospital’s recent fund drive, success would be quite feasible. We can hope that business and civic leaders, as well as elected officials and their staffs, will think outside the box and see the opportunity.

Bob Campbell,

Lawrence