Rotary News

Rotary Bulleting for September 8, 2008
Editarian - Amy Remmert

President Rex Bell called the meeting to order and introduced Sam Cupps for the invocation.  In celebration of a great win, The WMU Fight Song was lead by Amy Remmert and John Dillworth.  Ed Sackley was presented with a Paul Harris Award which was not his first.

Announcements:  Kathleen Tosco announced the Past Rotary International Presiden Bill Skelton died and requested a moment of silence.  Ann Drummond announced that on September 29^th there will be a Kalamazoo Rotary sponsored blood drive.  Please give.  Karl Sandelin announced that its time again, for the annual Foundation Raffle.  This raffle supports many programs including "Strive." A  designated for "Strive" can be made on the ticket stub.  Kalamazoo's goal is to sell 300 tickets.  Efforts have already begun by some club members. Tickets are $20.

There will be a Board meeting on September 10^th at noon at the Park Club.

There were many HAPPY BUCKS and President Rex was HAPPY.

Dan Hartlieb introduced our speaker Dr. Thomas Haas, Grand Valley State University's fourth president.  Dr. Haas talked about "Investing in Public Higher Education."  He is currently Chair of Presidents Council representing 15 universities across Michigan.  These universities are autonomous and all are unique and have distinctive missions and effective utilization of resources.  They are driven by market efficiencies to provide the best value for the dollar. 

The day of low skill/high paying jobs are gone.  Today's work force needs to be educated.  The Presidents Council advocates for higher education through policy, effectiveness, accountability and intellectual capacity all for economic development.  Michigan, in order to be prosperous, needs a higher percentage of college graduates and it needs to stop the brain drain (those moving out of Michigan to seek jobs in more prosperous cities).  Michigan is the only state in the nation that has not increased funding to higher education.

The council has place partnership with private sector as one of it's top goals.  Michigan needs to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.