SPOKES -- September 10, 2024

 

Today's meeting was held at Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus

 

We were greeted at the entrance by Todd Heinrich and Jeff Wilhelm and welcomed by Deb Davidson and Larry Wittkop as we entered the conference room.

 

At 7am sharp, we were welcomed by President Angelica Gallegos­ Dickerson, and we began with the "Pledge of Allegiance", followed by Art Ayers' invocation.

 

 

GUESTS: None

 

ZOOM ATTENDEES: N/A today

 

 

SONGS: N/A today

 

 

 

+ The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum's Fall Conference, "Green Hearts", will be held on September 2ist, from 9am-5pm.

+ Oktoberfest-South Haven is to be held on Saturday, September

28th.

 

+ Tom Renner received his Second Level Paul Harris Fellow Award.

CONGRATULATIONS, Tom!

 

Dave Campbell indicated that several of our members are within reach of Paul Harris recognition.

 

+ It was a sellout crowd for another M-MSU football game, so a man seated on the SO-yard line was surprised to see an empty seat next to him. He questioned the man on the other side of the empty seat, wondering if anyone else would be coming.

He replied that he and his wife had season tickets for the past 20 years; however, his wife had recently "passed", so that was the reason there was a vacant seat.

 

"Couldn't you find someone else to come today?" the man asked.

 

To which the widower replied, "No one else was available, since all of my other family members and friends are attending her funeral this afternoon".

 

 

+ N/A today

 

+ Amy Nichols' daughter celebrated her 28th birthday.

+ Kaileigh Eddy's husband, Mark, has a birthday tomorrow.

+ Tom Noverr's granddaughter will be 11 years old on the 12th.

+ Deb Davidson's grandson celebrates his 6th birthday.

+ Todd Heinrich reported that Susan has a birthday on Friday.

+ Pete Swanson's daughter celebrates 50 years this week.

+ Dana Hullinger and wife, Lynnette, will be celebrating their 52nd Anniversary.

+ Anna Rydecki and her husband are celebrating 3 days of marriage today.

A "traditional" Happy Birthday/Anniversary followed.

 

 

PROGRAM: Lake Michigan College Update

PROGRAM CHAIR: Jeremy Burleson, a South Haven Rotarian who is the Associate Dean, Regional Campuses and Select Academic Programs at Lake Michigan College. He oversees the daily operations of both the Niles and South Haven campuses.

 

+ LMC Enrollment Summary

Compared to the Fall of 2023, there are 179 more students enrolled, which has translated to 2410 more credit hours being taken (all campuses).

South Haven has added 31 students, and 110 more credit hours this year. Enrollment as of 09/06/2024 is 147.

 

+ Most Popular Majors

Personal Interest- "Personal Interest" can refer to a student's desire to take classes for personal enrichment without earning credit towards a degree."

Pre-Nursing

Associate in general studies

 

+ Free Tuition

Frontliners- Michiganders who worked in essential industries during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. It covers the cost of associate degrees, certificates and high school equivalency exams.

Michigan Reconnect- Covers community college tuition and fees for adults who want to earn an associate degree or skills certificate. Other requirements apply.

Michigan Achievement Reconnect- Covers full-time enrolled students who have completed their FAFSA, graduated in 2023 and, even if students qualify for a Pell Grant, they can also receive

$1000 for living expenses.

 

+ Programming Current:

Phlebotomy

Pearson Assessment

Michigan Transfer Agreement Trucking

Future Hopes:

Marine Technology

Physical Therapy Assistant 2025 Introduction to Farm Management Drone Certificate

E-Sports

 

Rotary Club of South Haven Scholarship- Since 2005, 194 students have received almost $93,305.00 in scholarships.

Emergency Funds- Since 2016, 29 students have received over

$5,500.00. Without this money, those 29 students might have had to quit taking classes.

Such funding covers: books, course packs/access codes, courses not covered by financial aid, living expenses and transportation.

Jeremy addressed several questions from our membership and was thanked, on behalf of our club, by President Angelica Gallegos­ Dickerson, for his hospitality and informative presentation.