February 20, 2025
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Kelly Neville
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote: Rollin Abernethy
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests:
Guests:
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Olafur
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: YouTube
Foundation Drawing: Ollie Walter won $10 with $58 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Keith Downey
Announcements:
- Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
- Do you know a family that would be willing to host Olafur from mid-March to June? Let Caitlin White or Todd Pearson know.
- Dave Hansen asked for a volunteer to the be the club’s social media person.
- Dave Hansen announced that Read to Feed is coming up. We will partner with Basic Beginnings, and Developmental Preschool & Daycare.
- Murray Schroeder is looking for a venue for the March social.
- Don Prehoda told the club that the local club Foundation made its annual disbursement of 5% to the club. This was $8,700. The total value with the club foundation is $77,000.
- Red badges will now need to respond for the club once at a meeting to earn their blue badge.
- The board approved $250 for DECA, $250 for girls softball, and $1,500 for United Way of Albany County. The club is also working to support the Platte River Veteran Fly Fishing group at their annual banquet. Seats are $90. If 8 Rotarians volunteer to pay for a seat, the club will cover the difference to reach the Gold Level sponsorship.
Upcoming Programs:
- March 6: UW Alumni Association, Jack Tennant
- March 13: Family, Career, and Community Leaders in America, Emily Gull
- March 27: Albany County Conservancy, Anne Brande
Special Remembrance: Kelly Neville invited the club to share memories of Ken Patel. Ken was a Rotarians for 24 years. Several members of the club participated. Caitlin White told the club that Raj Patel and family plan to have a celebration of life for Ken in Laramie once the family returns from India.
Rotarian of the Week: Paul Montoya nominated Ken Patel for his time in Rotary.
Rotarian of the Month: Ken Patel
Songs: Red River Valley
Program: UW Interim Provost, Dr. Scott Turpen
Introduction: Christina Kuzmych
Dr. Scott Turpen is the interim provost at UW, after serving as a dean and faculty member since 2001. This means he serves as the chief academic officer for the university, which is a big role.
UW’s priorities remain similar to what they have always been. It provides innovative research that has a real impact on the state. It is the flagship institution and a land grant institution, which is unique.
UW has been working to streamline the degree process to retain students and help them through the degree process. UW wants to see its students thrive. UW works with the community colleges as partners.
UW is working on exploring all manner of student life to help with success. One piece of this was hiring professional advisors and allowing faculty to serve as mentors.
Saddle Up, a pre-college program, started four years ago. This was research supported for improving retention. Retention used to be about 75%, which is rather low. Under the program, that has increased to 80%.
AI is a challenge. Faculty have found ways to identify it and it is also changing teaching on a fundamental level. We need to learn to use it as a tool for enhancing research, looking at big date, and working on businesses processes.
Response: Tim Eisenhauer
‘Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the public library children’s book fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
Rotary 4-way test
Of the things we think, say, or do:
•Is it the Truth?
•Is it Fair?
•Will it build Good Will and
Better Friendships?
•Will it be Beneficial to All
Concerned?
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Website: laramierotaryclub.org
Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org