INSPIRATION: Sam Preuss shared part of her 2025 Walter Scott College of Engineering commencement address. Sam shared that her biggest takeaway from college is that the world is small. She recognized that college students are supposed to grow, that college expands your world, etc. She also shared that the world is full of challenges – such as, 700 million people in the world live in poverty (less than $2.50/day) and 4.4 billion people drink contaminated water.
However, making connections is important, even as an engineer (she chuckled). Sometimes you meet a stranger and find a connection à WOW… it is a small world!
Sam had the chance to build a friendship with a gentleman at CSU who works in sanitation in a building on campus. From that connection, Sam learned that Robert started a school in Uganda. When she asked what the greatest need at his school was, she learned that period poverty and young girls missing school during their menstrual cycle was an issue. Sam helped to work with the school and a team to identify local, affordable solutions (including utilizing cornhusks and banana trees).
Sam left us with the charge to be empathetic and curious and go out and make connections! Who knows what more we can do together!
IDEA THOUGHTS: “Community is much more than belonging to something: it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter” Brian Solis
GUESTS:
Lisa Dunne – guest from Rotary Foothills Club
Jackson Folkestad – returning exchange student and program speaker
Jim Folkestad – Jackson’s Dad
Francie Aubuchon – guest of Joe McCarthy
Paul Kovar – Kira’s fiancée
Glory Lenell (and Cheryl – her Mom) – 2025 FCBR Scholarship Recipient
FUTURE PROGRAMS: Please see the side panel for upcoming speakers and be sure to invite your friends.
ROTARY CARES: If you are aware of a fellow Rotarian who is going through a challenging time (i.e., personal or family health, family death, etc.) please let Sara Murphy know so we can let them know we are thinking of them and provide whatever support we can. Sara.jane.murphy1@gmail.com
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT – Glory Lennel – one of our 2025 Scholarship Recipients ($6,000 total over 4 years)
- Glory is going to attend Oklahoma State University and will be studying Civil Engineering
- While Glory looked at several colleges/universities – she felt a sense of community and respect at OSU – it also doesn’t hurt that they don’t have cold weather there. She is looking forward to the humidity
- She has also received a CEAT scholarship that will allow her to travel abroad for a semester
- Glory thanked the club for their support of our education and looks forward to giving us updates on her progress
ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE (RYE) – OUTBOUND STUDENT – JACKSON FOLKESTAD
- Jackson, a graduate of Fort Collins High School went to Argentina for his exchange year where there were ~195 exchange students.
- He was in Bahia Blanca – an industrial, port city where there were 4 exchange students
- Both of Jackson’s host families were amazing – and he envisions he will stay in touch with them
- Some of his highlights that he shared were:
- During his time in Argentina there were challenges – government changes and a floor where a years’ worth of rain fell in 2 hours
- Jackson will start at CSU this fall and study construction manage
NEW MEMBER ROTARY INDUCTION - Leighanne:
- Morgan Merriman, Kira Tangney, and Jennifer Whitacre were inducted into club after submitting all of the paperwork and being voted into our club by our Board of Directors
- Leighanne shared a warm welcome and let them know they are the newest members to Rotary International
GOOD NEWS:
- Gary T – is back from a month trip to Europe – including Sicily, Venice, and Croatia where he was able to see his 15-year-old granddaughter compete in an International AAU diving event
- Marcy – also returning from a 3 week travel to Africa where she visited a game reserve focused on horning
- Mary Catherine is back after heart surgery and a ride to MCR in an ambulance (though that wasn’t on her bucket list) – she thanked the club for all of their support – food, check-ins, and cards
- Kira – reminded the club we are still looking for volunteers for the Peach Festival and there is still time to sign up
- Bob M – is ready to head to Cheyenne Frontier Days after our meeting; he shared that we have someone in our club who has expressed interest in our open President Elect nominee. He wants to ensure if there are others interested to get in touch with him.
- Craig C – with our program on RYE, he thought it was appropriate that he just received a text from our 94-95 RYE student
- Leighanne – her and her husband had a cancer scare in May/June but the tests came back and Wes is 1 year cancer free
- Curt – Ulma who has worked with Curt for a long time, self starter, his right hand gal has advanced to a new position – meant to happen.
- Becky – reminded us there are still positions available to distribute backpacks for Mujeres de Colores
OFFSITE THURSDAY, 7/31 – remember, we are meeting at the Visit Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau. It is located just north of Mountain Avenue between College and Walnut – right across from Coopersmith’s Brewing.