GUEST SPEAKER THIS FRIDAY
Dr. Calvin R. Hill, Vice President for Inclusion and Community Engagement at Springfield College, will address the Springfield Rotary Club's luncheon meeting on Friday, March 24th. Dr. Hill's topic will be "connecting across differences."
Dr. Hill works closely with a broad range of students, faculty, staff, and community constitutes to develop Springfield College as a model for diversity and inclusion in higher education. Striving to connect the College’s intellectual and cultural resources to area communities, Hill’s leadership will support the recruitment and retention of a diverse student population. In addition, Hill monitors, documents, and facilitates the College’s integrated governmental and community relations and serve as a liaison to local, state, and federal government agencies.
Springfield College President Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper says, "Springfield College recognizes that a diverse and inclusive campus community where different perspectives are recognized and celebrated is an integral part of educating students in the 21st century. In addition, we are proud of our collaborative partnerships with many community organizations, and we are committed to being a strong advocate for greater Springfield. Calvin’s experience in both academic and professional settings will enhance the College’s goals and vision in these areas moving forward.”
With more than 20 years of experience as a faculty member in higher education, Hill has most recently served as the university diversity and inclusion officer for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. Prior, Hill developed strong ties to higher education in Massachusetts working as assistant to the president and director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity at Worcester State University; serving as associate provost and chief diversity officer for MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston; and prospering as assistant dean and director of diversity programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Hill’s experience has included a commitment to providing equal access to educational opportunities for underrepresented populations, and to lead institutional compliance efforts around the ADA, Title VI, Title VII, VOWA, the Campus SaVE Act, and Title IX.
LAST WEEK’S MEETING – An Irish Tribute!
This past Friday, 3/17, St. Patrick’s Day, we had a fun and festive club meeting. Max’s made us a delicious Irish themed meal and the Rock’n Rotarians sang a couple of Irish tunes for us to sing along and enjoy. Everyone wore something green or festive to celebrate.
Rick Keating even brought his Irish flag!
Peter Pappas won best tie!
Sean Cahillane, President and Founder of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England (ICC) and Mary Ellen Lowney, board member and secretary of the ICC spoke. Sean talked about how the Irish settled in the Pioneer Valley and Mary Ellen talked about the Irish Cultural Center’s mission, stories and their newly opened home in West Springfield.
.png)
.png)
Sean was born and raised in the Hungry Hill Section of Springfield to Irish born, Gaelic Speaking parents. Both his parents came from the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Sean graduated from Cathedral High School, Stonehill College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, American International College with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Sean has held elected offices as a Massachusetts State Representative at the age of 23, as a member of the Springfield School Committee, and as Vice Chairperson of the Massachusetts Delegation to the Democratic National Convention, back when the convention nominated Jimmy Carter. Sean presently works for the Springfield Housing Authority and plans to retire in June. Sean enjoys and is proud of being an American of Irish Descent.
Mary Ellen Lowney is a board member and secretary of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. A native of Enfield, Conn., she is a graduate of Springfield Technical Community College, University of Massachusetts, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism, and Bay Path University, where she earned a master's of science degree in communication and information management. Mary Ellen worked for many years as a news reporter at The Springfield Republican and MassLive. She is now chair of the Communication Department at American International College. She is also communications manager at the Springfield Housing Authority. A resident of Chicopee and the mother of three adult children, she has long been interested in her Irish heritage and has traveled many times to the homeland of her ancestors.
To learn more about the Irish Cultural Center, Mary Ellen welcomes anyone who would like a tour. She can be contact at
maryellen.lowney@aic.edu
Rotary Club of Springfield Seeks Applications for its Service Fund Grants
(3/19/17; Springfield, MA)
The Rotary Club of Springfield is seeking applications from Springfield-based non-profit organizations that benefit the Greater Springfield Community for its Service Fund grants. Non-profits with a 501c3 status are eligible to apply. Grants are awarded up to $2,000 and organizations may apply every two years for a grant.
Organizations may use the grant for any capital improvement project related to their mission, which follows the Principals and Ideals of the local and International Rotary Club. The following areas include:
· Promoting Peace
· Fighting Disease
· Providing Clean Water
· Saving Mothers and Children
· Supporting Education
· Growing local Economies
A total of $6,000 in grants will be awarded at an event on May 11, 2017 at The Student Prince in Springfield from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
ROWLAND’S ROTARY MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHT
Tony Fitzpatrick is the artist who painted the beautiful pictures of birds on pages 44 thru 55. In the opening editorial he said he credits his love for birds to his grandmother Mae.
Rowland’s question was: Did he credit his love for birds to his mother, which is false.
After a caucus the table voted true, - WRONG.
.png)
