Eric Olmscheid has served as Executive Director of Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University since June 2022. A dedicated advocate for the performing arts, Eric is passionate about fostering meaningful connections among the arts, the community, and the MSU campus. Under his leadership, Wharton Center has broadened its impact through innovative programming, transformative educational initiatives, and collaborative partnerships.

 

With over 20 years of experience in performing arts management, Eric is widely recognized as a thought leader in the field. His achievements include receiving the Broadway League Award for Outstanding Achievement in Education and being named to the Des Moines Business Record’s “Forty Under 40.” He actively contributes to the national arts landscape through his work on committees with The Broadway League and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals. Additionally, Eric serves on the boards of the Midwest Arts Xpo, Choose Lansing CVB, and the MSUFCU Reseda Group. Notably, he is one of only two Tony Awards® voters in Michigan.

 

Eric grew up on a dairy farm in rural Minnesota. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in arts management. In his free time, he often explores the community with his partner, Adam, and their two doodles, Rue Hammerstein and Beo Sounheim.

 

Call for Volunteers! A coup d'état is brewing in Lansing Rotary and President Chris may be taken out by a musical themed drone strike. In the time honored tradition of the Club, on June INSERT DATE, we will do a send off for President Chris. Past Send offs included: Presidential Jeopardy live action board game for past president and 70’s porn star Dennis Fliehman:

 

 

The Rotary Foundation has made it very easy to donate, scan the QR code below or login to my.rotary.org/en/donate. From April 19th to May 19th, there will be matching points to the Annual Fund SHARE of at least $100 with an equal number of Foundation Recognition Points. The maximum match is 500 points. Please let Cathy know to complete the contribution form for the matching funds from the District. Thank you!

 

Nominations Wanted for our Club’s “Rotary Hero” Our club’s board of directors is requesting nominations for a club member who will be recognized as our club’s “Rotary Hero.” The Rotary Hero will be selected by our club’s board at our  meeting, and will be honored at the District Conference held in St. Joseph on May 16th.  A nominee should be a current Rotarian who truly exemplifies “Service Above Self” in everything that he or she thinks, says or does, or a long-time member who has given many years of service.

 

Your nomination should include:

Past honorees from our club have been: Jack Draper, Jack Bates,  Ken Beachler, Duane Vernon, Irv Nichols, Helen Mickens, Mark Hooper, Pat Hanes, Sue Mills, Kurt Guter and John Cauley.

 

The deadline for submission of nominations is April 30th.  All submissions should be emailed to Cathy at cathy@lansingrotary.com. If you have any questions please direct them to President Chris Swope.

Max Hondorp, a junior at Lansing Catholic High School, is helping the community honor the U.S. flag through part of his Eagle Scout Project. Max built two flag collection boxes that will be placed at two locations in East Lansing from March 23-June 10, 2026:

The collected flags will be respectfully retired during a flag burning ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, ensuring they receive the honor they deserve.

We have a service opportunity at the Greater Lansing Food Bank on Wednesday, May 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Tuesday, September 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. located at 5600 Food Ct., Bath Township. Please let Jason Brunette know if you can help:  Jason.Brunette@martincommercial.com 

President Chris called the meeting to order and led the Club in reciting the 4-Way Test. President Chris introduced Ben Rathbun for the Reflection which focused on preparing on things we can’t always predict and anticipating and how to navigate uncertainty. Ben shared the 4-Way Test gives something to ground us and direct our decisions when we need clarity.

 

Hari Kern led Rotarians in singing the National Anthem.

 

We welcomed guests and visiting Rotarians including President Chris’s guests Ronn who is the President of MI Bankers Association and Bob the former legal counsel for President Obama who now works on election confidence issues. Also joining us were Chris Lewis the District Governor Nominee from the Williamston Club. Chris reminded that the District Conference is coming up in May in St. Joseph. He also announced the District Challenge for “Bikes for Malawi” for $200. Finally, Kim from the Board of Water and Light introduced herself and is attending her second meeting on her way to membership!

 

The health of the Club is good! Sarah Garcia is retiring next Friday and we wish her congratulations following her amazing career in our community.

 

Heidi McNaughton introduced today’s special music the Steiner Chorale. All members are from the Lansing area and came back after time away from the area including LA, Chicago, and New Tork City. The members of the Steiner Chorale include JK Hilbert and Kaitlyn with accompanist Jeff Richards. They performed a number from the musical Annie Get Your Gun and another from the Hunchback of Notre Dame. The Steiner Chorale will be performing on April 26 at 4:00pm at the University United Methodist Church at Trowbridge and Harrison and showcasing some inspirational pieces.

 

Chris Holman announced the March Birthdays and is filling in for the March Birthday Chair Barb Whitney. The question was if your birthday was a texture, what would it feel like. Joel Hoffman’s would be sandpaper and steel wool; Kevin Schumacher would be graupel from the UP; Bobby Hoffman would be bubble wrap that you’re excited about but have to commit to; Hari Kern’s birthday is on 3/14 or Pie Day so her texture would be a flaky pie crust. $841 was collected at 100% giving for the month. We’re now three years of 100% giving!

 

Craig Stiles announced the Paul Harris month. Look for a letter to come via email re. the annual giving for the Rotary Foundation.

 

There are two volunteer opportunities for the Club at the Food Bank on May 27 and September 22 from 9-11:00am. Mark your calendars for one or both of these dates!

 

The application for local grants through our Foundation is now available. The link is on the Club website and the deadline is April 20.

 

President Chris asked for anyone interested in serving on the Rotary Foundation Board, please connect with John Shaski or Anne Cauley.

 

Thank you to our Chair of the Day and Month Ben Rathbun who introduced today’s speaker Sean Brady. Sean attended MSU and has worked as a civilian analyst for the Michigan State Police since 2008. Sean was the first leader of the Capital Area Civilian Emergency Response Team and has delivered numerous training courses on emergency preparedness and terrorism. Today’s presentation focused on drone warfare.

 

Drones are a vehicle with no pilot on board but on the ground or remote controlled. They can range from the size of a human finger to a commercial airliner.

 

The history of drones goes back to World War I (1918) when the Kettering “Bug” was deployed. Drones were more commonly used in the War on Terror in 2014 which created fewer civilian casualties. Drones have become more commonplace in the Ukraine/Russia War and the current warfare with Iran.

 

Drones have evolved from simple bomber drones/suicide drones which are cheap and plentiful. There are defenses against drones which are highly effective including shotguns, electronic rifles or netting over strategic targets. Ukraine has been able to defend 70-90% of Russian drones.

 

Drones are highly strategic to be able to target factories, refineries and other key sites. For example, Ukraine has targeted Russian energy facilities with accuracy to weaken their energy production. Ground drones have proven more difficult to control.

 

Drone technology is changing rapidly and drones become obsolete within 4-6 months with changing technology. Drones are cheap and easy to manufacture and available to anyone including cartels, drug organizations and rebel organizations. Air and sea drones are more advanced than ground robots.

 

Drones of the future include submarine drones, fighter planes, fully autonomous drones, drone swarms, and AI usage in drones.

 

Questions to Sean focused on the future of AI and autonomous drones and the ethics and moral questions of the technology in our world.

 

Thanks to Sean for the thought-provoking presentation about the reality of drones in our world today.

 

Our next meeting will be on Friday, April 24 at LCC featuring a presentation by Eric Olmscheid, Executive Director of the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. See you there!

 

Email for Julie Pingston:  jpingston@lansing.org