Micah Fox called the meeting to order and Angela Parham led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements
- Welcome visiting Rotarian Dick Fisher from the evening club.
- Micah Fox and Brian Dement presented Phil Bowers from Sustainable Alamance with a check for $4746. Phil reported 68 men and women with previous criminal histories have now been placed in jobs through the program earning $1.4 million in wages. The economic impact for Alamance County is $4.3 million. They are now offering counseling services to their participants and in partnership with Alamance Community College, are offering GED classes within our local jails.
Happy Clams
- Sam Powell shared 14 high school students will be graduating with both their high school diploma and a two year associates degree through the Alamance Community College program.
- Brad Moser updated the group on his daughter’s recent travel destinations. She just finished rafting the Nile River and will be home in 2 weeks.
Mark Dellhouse – Study USA
Francois Masuka was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been in the US for 25 years. He earned a Masters degree in both the Congo and US. He currently works with international students and faculty at Elon University. Francois has three daughters; one daughter is a lawyer, one daughter is an accountant and his youngest daughter is finishing her education this year. He is excited to have more money to spend! Francois credits Rotary for helping him learn more about the American culture.
Francois introduced our speaker, Mark Dellhouse, Study USA Program Director at Elon University. Mark was born in Virginia and has been at Elon for two years. He is married to his wife, Mary, and they have two sons.
Mark shared Elon’s Study USA program is best described as the “other side of the coin” to study abroad programs. The program objective is to create professional development opportunities within the US. Students are able to experience global engagement in the US without a passport. Courses are typically offered during the winter term and summer.
In January, 23 Elon students traveled to Iowa to observe the presidential candidates. The students followed the candidates as they campaigned throughout the state and held evening discussions focused on the political process and candidate personalities. This same group will travel to Washington, DC in January of 2017 for the Presidential Inauguration.
The Science of Happiness is another Study USA course offered to students by one of Elon’s Sociology professors. This group travels to Disneyland and Disneyworld to study the happiness created through the Disney experience.
Other courses offered through the program are Elon in NY and Elon in LA. Students are able to intern in their field of study and are introduced to networking opportunities.
Card Drawing
- Mark Laferriere did not chose the winning card.
Program Schedule
- May 17th – Paul Mauney
- May 24th – David Moore: Rich Skrosky, Head Football Coach Elon University
- May 31st – Club Assembly
- June 7th – Gary Brant
The meeting was adjourned and we all stood to recite the Rotary Four Way Test. Until next time…