Mount Pleasant shows off its Fired-Up colors

As the city of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, prepares to welcome students back to Central Michigan University, members of the local community are literally painting the town maroon.

“You’ll see CMU colors painted on sidewalks and storefronts throughout the downtown area,” said Padraic McMeel, president and CEO of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce. “The painted elements join the yard signs, window clings and other CMU elements proudly displayed in our local businesses. That’s the goal of Paint the Town Maroon – that you can’t miss the love for CMU in Mount Pleasant.”

Beginning the week of August 20, 200 businesses and community organizations are installing signs, hanging up posters, and getting excited to celebrate CMU’s fall season.

Maroon and gold everywhere

Paint the Town Maroon is a joint effort between CMU and the Mount Pleasant community, driven by the Community Relations Committee. The goal is to strengthen ties between local businesses and organizations and the university, and to help all residents – including CMU students – feel more deeply connected to our hometown.

“CMU and Mount Pleasant have grown up together for more than 130 years,” said Marcie Otteman, deputy chief alumni relations. “Mount Pleasant was founded in 1889, and just three years later, CMU began serving its first students. The connection between our city and our university is strong, and we want every resident to feel pride in that relationship.”

In its inaugural year, approximately 175 businesses registered to be part of the project. This year, 200 businesses or organizations signed up to participate in the Paint the Town Maroon initiative so far - with more expected. 

“People were excited to see this happening last year, and we had people calling and emailing afterwards asking to be included next year,” Otteman said.

Each participating group receives a kit containing a large window cling, yard sign and shirt, and they are asked to proudly display the signage beginning in late August as students return to campus.

Members of the Community Relations Committee hand-delivered kits to participating organizations to thank them for getting involved.

Committee members will also hand out free t-shirts downtown during the August 29 Max and Emily’s Summer Concert Series event. Giveaway shirts will be offered first-come, first-served until they run out, Otteman said.

Get to know Mount Pleasant

One of the goals of the initiative is to help students, faculty, staff and community residents explore all that Mount Pleasant has to offer, said Chris Rowley, president and CEO of the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“There is so much to see and do in our community. We have amazing restaurants and incredible locally owned shops. There are hundreds of events each year, including live music and festivals. We have museums and galleries – there are even classes to help you explore your artistic side,” Rowley said. “And all that is in addition to our incredible outdoor offerings, with beautiful parks and trails. We want to make sure everyone is aware of how much we have to offer.” 

As part of the Paint the Town Maroon initiative, the CVB is hosting round two of their “Fire Up and Find It Challenge.” The cellphone-based game invites participants to check in at 30 locations throughout the community, with prizes for individuals who visit the most sites.

“Our grand prize this year includes an amazing pre-game experience for CMU fans, with access to the Van Wagner Pregame VIP tailgate, admission to the Isabella Bank club premium area, on-field recognition during a home football game with custom graphics, and a private tour of a CMU Athletics facility,” Rowley said.

The “Fire Up and Find It Challenge” can be accessed through the Meet Mt. Pleasant app, which is available for download through the app store on most smart devices and phones.

Welcome “home,” students

Beginning this fall, thousands of students will take classes on the CMU Mount Pleasant campus, living in residential communities and in apartments and homes throughout the community. 

While current students, faculty and staff at CMU will go out of their way to make new students feel welcome, McMeel said community leaders and businesses have also expressed a desire to be a part of that effort.

“Mount Pleasant loves being home to CMU students. They work and shop in our local businesses, they volunteer with community organizations, they live in local housing, and they bring such an exciting energy with them,” McMeel said.

“We want them to know we’re glad they are here, and we want them to want to bring their friends and families to visit. We want them to consider staying here after graduation. They are a vital part of this community.”