Summary of the Iowa City Noon Rotary on December 17, 2015
Iowa City Noon Rotary Awards – The following members were recognized by our club:
Bart Floyd Paul Harris Fellow +1
Don Heineking Paul Harris Fellow +1
Dr. Charles Hesse Paul Harris Fellow +1
Jimmy Pinkham Paul Harris Fellow +1
Larry Morgan Paul Harris Fellow +1
Michael Jensen Paul Harris Fellow +1
Clyde Seery Paul Harris Fellow +2
Linda Dasher Paul Harris Fellow +5
Verne Folkmann Sponsor, Silver Level
Ronald K. McMullen, United States Ambassador-In-Residence
President Thais introduced Ronald K. McMullen to our club. Ronald McMullen is an American foreign service officer, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, has over 30 years of diplomatic experience and has lived, worked, or traveled in 91 countries. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Eritrea from 2007-2010. McMullen was born in Northwood, Iowa, and received a bachelor’s degree from Drake University, a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and his doctorate in political science from the University of Iowa where he wrote his dissertation on economic consequences of African coups d’etat. Currently, he is a Visiting Associate Professor at the the University of Iowa. Over his career, McMullen has received numerous awards and recognitions including being elected as the 2015 Honors Professor of the Year at the University of Iowa. His students say that he his the best professor they have ever had due to his incredible knowledge on people to people issues. McMullen engaged our members with a comprehensive and timely presentation on the “History of Bethlehem” through the eyes of a foreign service officer and a Lutheran.
President Thais introduced Ronald K. McMullen to our club. Ronald McMullen is an American foreign service officer, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, has over 30 years of diplomatic experience and has lived, worked, or traveled in 91 countries. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Eritrea from 2007-2010. McMullen was born in Northwood, Iowa, and received a bachelor’s degree from Drake University, a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and his doctorate in political science from the University of Iowa where he wrote his dissertation on economic consequences of African coups d’etat. Currently, he is a Visiting Associate Professor at the the University of Iowa. Over his career, McMullen has received numerous awards and recognitions including being elected as the 2015 Honors Professor of the Year at the University of Iowa. His students say that he his the best professor they have ever had due to his incredible knowledge on people to people issues. McMullen engaged our members with a comprehensive and timely presentation on the “History of Bethlehem” through the eyes of a foreign service officer and a Lutheran.
MEETING
Singing: Bob Crane led the singing of America the Beautiful, Birthday of a King and Jingle Bells with Maggie Mowery on the piano.
Ride the Goat: The club heard from two goat riders, Jerry Forrester and Christina Kimerle.
Rotary Moment: Mary Ellen Lewis on engaged Rotarian Benny Hawkins. Benny has been a Rotarian and a member of the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club for 32 years. A dentist on staff at the University of Iowa Dental School, he was encouraged to join by his department head, Bill Lainston. Dr. Hawkins has been involved with local Rotary projects including the membership committee and Rotaract students. He believes that interactions with people outside his own profession as well as the camaraderie he has found with his Rotary experience have had the greatest impact on him. His advice to a new Rotarian? Serve on committees and emet new people.
President Thais had the following announcements:
- Just a reminder, there are still Centennial gifts available. Please stop by the back counter to pick up a gift.
- John Gross led the fundraising within our club to raise $1009 for Toys for Tots. This is the largest collection for the club to date and he has already purchased and dropped off toys to benefit children in need in our area.
Please remember that all members need to go into the Clubrunner system and update their own records in the membership directory as they have changes. We want to ensure that we have the most up-to-date information on all of our members. Please use this link: http://tinyurl.com/qxpm2we and follow information directly from ClubRunner on how to update your individual record.
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
Shawn Reineke introduced Visiting Rotarian Brian Adamec (Iowa City AM) as well as guests Jan Down (Jim Down), Phillip Paul (Dorothy Paul), Julie Brinegar (Jerry Forrester), Amy Boelk (Joe Hughes), Peggy Guither & Meghan Schneider (Bruce Guither), Afi Koudadje (Joe Hughes).
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Program: Tom Cilek; Attendance: Nancy Droll; Greeters: January 7 – Mark Nolte and Yasmine Rezai, January 14 – Russ Schmeiser and Melissa Schooley, January 21 – Bryan Lawler and Mark Koch.