|
CURRENT CAREER – Director of Development, Volunteer and Marketing at Goodwill Northern Michigan.
EDUCATION – Bachelors in anthropology and an archaeology minor, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO.
FAMILY- Married with two kids: Abby (7) and George (4).
FAVORITE DESSERT - Chocolate chip walnut cookies
FAVORITE HOBBY, ACTIVITY - Collecting cookbooks, swimming and playing outside with my family.
LAST BOOK READ – “Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home”
FAVORITE MOVIE – “Pride and Prejudice”
FAVORITE SONG – “Another one bites the dust” by Queen.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB
LIKELY KNOWS - I’ve seen every James Bond movie, and secretly want to be a “Bond girl.”
LIFE ROLE MODEL – Mother Theresa
MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – Served my country thru Americorps National Civlian Community Corps.
PROUDEST MOMENT - Seeing my daughter Abby show kindness and patience while developing a friendship with another classmate who has down syndrome.
FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU - I was pooped on by a flock of birds at the National Zoo while on vacation and my mother documented the whole thing on film.
SECRET AMBITION - To end the use of electronics as babysitters and encourage more outside/creative play with children.
IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A DAY (present or historical), WHO WOULD THAT BE---AND WHY? Sir Richard Branson. I like his unconvential creative approach to business and would love to be philanthropic with his money.
MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET - Drummer from ZZ Top in a hotel elevator when I was 7 yrs. old.
|
In a tribute to today’s speaker Gregory Luyt, a maize and blue grad, did something he has never done before. He led us in a chorus of the “Spartan Fight Song” with the accompaniment of Gregg Smith and Marsha Minervini. ( He did really well with this considering his mind was actually singing “The Victors”.) They also led us in “Goodnight Irene”. Gregg Smith said they still need more singers for the Rotary Show Chorus. He stressed how much “fun” this experience can be. Please sign up, even if you can’t sing. Al Olson introduced one visiting rotarian along with multiple guests, most of which came to hear our speaker. 
Dr. Bob Portenga introduced our newest rotarian, Commander Greg Matyas. He was recently appointed to the Traverse City Coast Guard Station. CDR Matyas graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1996 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. In 2009, he earned a Master’s Degree in Industrial Administration from Perdue University. He has over 3,200 flight hours in the MH-65 helicopter. His wife is Susie, and she hails from Odenville, AL. Interests include kite boarding, skiing, running, and mountain biking. Welcome to Rotary Commander.
We were honored today to have as our speaker Lou Anne Simon, President of Michigan State University. She says she and her husband are “part-time” residents of Traverse City. She has been President of MSU since 2005. She indicated the University is a 2 billion dollar organization and it’s ranked in the top 100 schools in the country. President Simon indicated there are 672 current students enrolled at MSU from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Manistee counties combined. Four of these students are enrolled in veterinary medicine and 37 are in medical school. She also said there are 7,213 alumni residing in the six county region. She discussed with us how heavily involved MSU is in our community. The Wharton Center for the Arts works the Traverse City Opera House, and the MSU Extension helps with agricultural service. These are things we’re familiar with. However, there are a multitude of smaller projects MSU is involved with that we’re likely unaware of, which still benefit the community in a positive way. Both MSU students and alumni should be very proud of their President. She’s a Great Lady as well as a GREAT PRESIDENT.
CURRENT CAREER – Financial Education Facilitator with Fifth Third Bank. 
Michael Richmond in Isle de Vieques, Puerto Rico attending a fundraiser for a local school. Dinner, live music, live and silent auction with only 10 Rotary members a crowd of 100 attend the event.
The March 8th meeting will be held at the Old Town Playhouse.
