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President Chris brought our meeting to order with the tolling of the Rotary Bell. All rose to recite the Four-Way Test. Mark Kraushaar was called to the podium to give the Reflection about our belonging to the planet, and we are only here temporarily to observe, learn, grow and love before we return to our origin. The club than sang God Bless America, before returning to our seats. Joseph Yang grabbed the Extraordinarily Large Cube of Audio to allow for the introduction of guest and visiting Rotarians. We had many guests, who attended multiple meetings with interest in joining our club and one visiting Rotarian from the Delta/Waverly Rotary Club. President Chris inquired if anyone had any updates on the health of our club members, silence was golden in this case. Terry Terry introduced our special music, Twyla Birdsong accompanied by Josh Hicks on piano. Twyla sang “What a Difference a Day Makes”. She did so to perfection, so she dropped the mic. to a rousing applause. President Chris then gave Kevin McMillan his new member red badge, welcome Kevin. Announcements continued with Courtney Millbrook asking for club members to bring forth suggestions for future special music programs, they can be talented artists in singing or dancing that you know socially, through local schools or organizations. President Chris asked Lisa Smith to introduce today’s speaker Rebecca DeVooght, Vice President for Governmental Relations at Michigan State University. Rebecca started by showing the data  about MSUs impact in our community and statewide, for example MSU’s presence in the Lansing area has a $3.7 billion dollar impact and within our community just under 72,000 MSU alumni live in the Lansing area after graduation. MSU boasts an acceptance rate of 65% and a graduation rate of 80%, with two thirds of graduates starting their careers by staying in Michigan. Rebecca stated that the interaction between MSU and our community has recently risen to the top of the university’s mission as higher education is reinventing itself in our current political and social landscape. MSU in addressing this mission by trying to position itself as a talent activator in Michigan, be strongly connected through community partnerships and using research that supports innovation, prosperity and quality of life throughout our community and state. MSU is committed to fostering these commitments by developing a community partnership roadmap through shared principles and priorities that align with the university’s strategic goals. This includes strengthening its role in the Lansing region’s development and community initiatives. MSU’s vision is to lead when its strengths can make the greatest impact in partnering with initiatives that advance and bring long-term prosperity of the region. As a talent activator, MSU has created the Green and White Advisory Board, Envision Green a LCC transfer partnership and offers non-degree credentials for students looking for a “different” path as they embark on their careers. Rebecca dove into the current political landscape and funding challenges, noting that recent policies to eliminate or restrict higher education funding through reductions or elimination of financial aid and student loan options is disruptive at this time. With spending reductions being initiated among many facets of federally supported programs across all aspects of our community, MSU is trying to determine how to best fit and find balance with other federally funded programs such as SNAP and Medicaid all being impacted by this new funding landscape and at the same time not abandon the vision to partner and participate within our community. After a number of great questions, the meeting was called to adjournment by President Chris until we meet again next Friday. Email for Tim Adams: tadams@manercpa.com |
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We received this note from Steve Japinga, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs with the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.