September 12, 2011
Aaron Tilch led the pledge of allegiance and Jim Howard gave the invocation—with a bit of assistance from President Greg Pierson.
Visiting Rotarians
Jay Hockaday introduced the following persons: Liana Simpson, Old Town; Heidi Benzenolli, Southwest; Trevor Harper, Ferndale; Maureen Merrill, Windsor (District Governor).
Guests of Rotarians
Carlton Nielsen brought Tim Jones; Lisa Slack’s guest was Laura Slack; Nancy Dean’s guest was Dorann Wolf and Steve Justus introduced Mary Barber.
Student Guests
Student exchange guest Tonje Soonm went roller skating, to the river and to the Oregon Caves over the past week. Marina Campos went sailing and celebrated her BBQ-birthday Sept. 5th.
Announcements
Gary Todoroff reported that Harvey Harper had been a member since 1942 and left $20,000 to Eureka Rotary when he recently passed away, with the stipulation that it be used locally. Our club has decided that we will sponsor a Eureka High School scholarship to study automotive technology.
John Bradley announced September 27th at 5-9 pm at Cher-Ae Heights Casino, Backpack Buddy night. Jeff Leonard said live action items and silent auction items are still needed. Contact Jeff if you can help out with an auction item. If you wish to attend the event Greg Seiler said sign up on the clipboards that are at our table. We are hoping to raise $25,000. "Be a Buddy, Bring a Buddy" is the theme. Want to attend? Contact Greg by September 26th.
Jeff Leonard announced that Wednesday in Room 119 at Eureka High School is the Rotary Youth Exchange information night, to prepare and inform any would-be exchange students.
Our newest club member is Arthur Nielsen (MBA from UCLA, JD from Columbia University) who is married with a ten year old daughter. President Greg gave him a red badge and urged Arthur to work diligently toward his blue badge. Carlton Nielsen encouraged him to note that he could do Rotary make-ups in Siberia in January or get kidnap insurance on his way to a meeting in Nigeria. But, urging Arthur to sit at different tables seemed the more practical bit of advice.
September Birthdays: Kim Bauriedel (6th), Carolyn Crnich (9th), Brian Papstein (10th), Teresa Sims (13th), Jesse Klair (14th), Steve Beckman (18th). The birthday boys who were not at the table were fined ten dollars each.
Anniversaries: David and Patty Tyson (8th), Ron and Jan Pierre (9th), Corky and Ann Cornwell (11th), Greg and Jenny Bowen (13th), Joe and Peggy Mark (14th).
There is a softball game this Friday at Cloney Field from 3:30-5:00pm against the Eureka High Staff. Victory seems likely -- if we show up.
Program
Brian Papstein introduced our speakers: HSU President, Dr. Rollin Richmond and Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Burt Nordstrom. Dr. Richmond came to HSU from Iowa State nine years ago. Dr. Richmond could not help but notice that the football game with Central Washington last Thursday was well attended and with a last second field goal leading to victory for the Lumberjacks; he could hold his head higher.
A friend recently asked Dr. Richmond if Humboldt State was still business unfriendly? He countered by mentioning the HSU Office of Economic and Community Business Development was started some years ago and has become a portal for businesses around the area. With the childhood poverty rate very high in Humboldt, Dr. Richmond would like to see that reversed and HSU might play a role. Numerous HSU alumnae today are leaders of local businesses; these were cited as an example that many HSU grads are having a positive impact upon the local economy. HSU is working with Rob Arkley’s program, Economic Fuel, and is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve its business department and school.
HSU has developed a reputation for social justice and environmental concerns. However, business sustainability and social issues are not mutually incompatible, according to Dr. Richmond. As an example, he noted the California Center for Rural Policy has been established a connection to HSU, with important results: e.g. the new fiber optic line soon to be completed over highway 36. Dr. Richmond pointed out that HSU students are involved around the globe doing good things for people in need. Furthermore, GI Jobs Magazine rated HSU military-friendly, with many programs to assist military personnel and veterans.
In light of the many contributions that HSU makes to the business of our community, Dr. Richmond would like us to talk to our legislators about that service being sustained through tax dollars.
Burt Nordstrom attended HSU, excelled in sports and once ran the University Center; he is now Vice President for Administrative Affairs. During his tenure academic programs and the facilities have been vastly improved. Photographs of the new structures documented the new HSU entryways, playing fields, student housing and kinesiology complex, among others. International student programs have also increased. Mr. Nordstrom pointed out that forest product industries once provided many jobs in Humboldt County, but no longer. He would like to see his offspring be able to live and work in Humboldt like he has, but the number of jobs have become scarce. One asset that could be exploited would be to allow HSU to grow in our community, especially as HSU becomes less state and more privately funded. The current total HSU campus budget is about $175 million dollars, with a higher proportion today garnered from student fees, grants and other sources.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dan Price
No comments:
Post a Comment