Homers: What's going right

UPPER IOWA U BOOMING: The economic recession is smacking budgets at many colleges and universities. Yet Upper Iowa University is “in the best financial situation it's ever been in,” President Alan Walker told a Gazette reporter. How? With a diversified revenue stream from 20 satellite centers worldwide and a growing online program. The Fayette campus has 900 students but total enrollment is 6,600. The school also fuels the economy with grants to businesses expanding or locating in Fayette.

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INTEREST IN SERVING: It was encouraging to see 16 people apply for the open seat on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, which is vacant because of Larry Meyers' death last month. The selection committee said there are many well-qualified candidates. A decision is expected Wednesday.

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TRAIL COLLABORATION: Thanks in large part to work of Metro High School students, the new Sense of Wonder Trail at Indian Creek Nature Center is a reality. Stations along the trail help young children learn about the outdoors. State Farm Insurance provided a grant and volunteers from several companies and organizations also helped.