President Rebecca called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. and led Rotarians in the recitation of the four-way test. Sue Hansen presented the Reflection. The Patriotic Song was “God Bless America,” accompanied by John Dale Smith on piano. Linda Sarnelli served a mic gal, assisting with the introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians. The Health of the Club was reportedly healthy. Hooray! Today’s special music featured Richard Fracker, chair of vocal arts at Michigan State University. He introduced himself by hoping out loud that he’d still have his job tomorrow. He apologized to President Kevin Guskiewicz and explained that he would have to leave immediately following his musical presentation to get back to campus in time to teach. He then sang “Danny Boy” and “Granada” — both exquisite and sweet — and received a standing ovation before dashing off. Announcements President Rebecca announced that Downtown Lansing Inc. is hosting its annual Fall Cutback and Cleanup Saturday, Oct. 12, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Jason Brunette promised that at least six Rotarians would volunteer. Coffee, cider and doughnuts will be available. A total of five Rotarians stepped up to volunteer. The DEI Committee is scheduled to meet immediately following today’s Rotary meeting in the Grand River room. As a reminder, those interested in helping folks in the path of Hurricane Helene, Rotary Zones 33/34 have a disaster-relief fund at https://www.rizones33-34.org/disaster-relief/ President Rebecca thanked Bob Hoffman for serving as Chair of the Month. Janet Lillie introduced today’s speaker: MSU’s 22nd president, Kevin Guskiewicz, Ph.D. He started his presidential duties March 4, and is getting to know people, running daily on campus and charting a course for MSU’s future. A seasoned administrator, beloved professor and accomplished researcher in sports-related concussions, we see the impact of President Guskiewicz’s work every day in fall athletics, Lillie said. In fact, he maintains his athletic trainer certificate. He can and is still willing to tape ankles. President Guskiewicz said MSU shares Rotary’s mission. MSU is leading globally in public research for public good. The vision for MSU is being part of the community at large. When he and his wife Amy touched down in East Lansing, they fell in love with the campus. He believes they are in the right place at the right time. He embarked on a 52-stop listening-and-learning tour on campus, with jam-packed days where he met with all departments, three hours at a time. Spartans ran toward challenges and turned them into opportunities to strengthen MSU’s position. He asked faculty, staff and students, “What are you afraid your new president will or will not do?” He is keeping in touch with those who leaned in and candidly communicated with him. President Guskiewicz is being strategic and bold; community- and student-focused. He said the impact and strength of our community is evident. For the 2024-’25 academic year, MSU enrolled 52,089 students — its largest class in MSU’s history — on the heels of last year’s enrollment of 51,316 students — previously the largest class. MSU welcomed 10,978 new undergraduate students, 1,100 transfer students, 37,600 in-state students representing all 83 counties. Twenty-eight percent of this year’s undergraduate class are students of color — the most diverse class at MSU. Diversity is important to President Guskiewicz and the university, because different lived experiences bring community to life. There are 15,000 faculty, 5,600 acres — half of which is farmland and a golf course. There are 550,000 alumni; 80,000 in the tri-county area. The new Plant and Environmental Sciences Building broke ground and will advance MSU’s global leadership in AgBio. President Guskiewicz emphasized the importance of collaborative research and training engineers of the future; a world-class faculty in AI, working across disciplines. The new 4,000-5,500-seat sports arena will be home to MSU volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling. It’ll also host high school competitions, hotel, restaurant and hospital/health needs. Construction cranes on campus are a sign of progress. He thanked the community for being patient on campus during this time of unprecedented progress, which will enhance campus. Public-private partnerships will help drive MSU’s work with the community as one team. The university is assembling commercial and business leaders, working with Lansing Area Economic Partnership and Lansing Chamber of Commerce to develop concepts and a launch group. At the presidential investiture, President Guskiewicz said the main theme is the need for MSU to be a talent magnet and talent activator. It’s a humble place, he said, but we must find opportunities to toot our horn. There is a lot happening on campus. Noise filters out the great things we’re doing. This is important because students today will work into 2060. We need to prepare them for jobs that don’t exist today. The Green and White Council is working to identify workforce gaps and shortages that professionals see and lead through AI. AI sparks fears of job replacement but will force us to retool the workforce through machine learning that drives change. “We need to be ready for that,” President Guskiewicz said. “We need to hire faculty who will help us achieve this.” Barriers to earning college degrees need to be removed; expand access between community college and MSU. Transfers from LCC exceed graduation rate by 7% (last year); 92% of students who transferred from LCC graduated compared to 80% who attended MSU all four years. MSU and LCC will expand on the governor’s call to graduate 60% of our state’s adults by 2030. MSU will help Lansing’s high school students get community service; get them on a path to get to MSU, not to survive but to thrive. Ninety-three percent of MSU grads already secured jobs or pathway to graduate programs. MSU is expanding its child-development labs to ensure quality early childhood care for at-risk children; address teacher shortages. 2024 Hall of Fame MSU won two Big Ten championships, one for women’s gymnastics at Jenison and the other for hockey at Munn Arena against UofM. Athletics is one of many gateways into the university. MSU honored the 1955 and 1966 football teams by inducting the teams into the Hall of Fame. In his time, famed coach Duffy Doherty broke racial barriers, allowing athletes of color to play across the country. Coach Mark Dantonio — MSU’s winningest football coach — was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Coach Tom Izzo’s jersey (No. 10) will be retired at Northern University in Marquette. President Guskiewicz is proud of MSU’s student athletes. The women’s soccer team had an incredible season. Go Green, Go White! Email for Lolo Robison is: LRobison@cata.org |