East Lansing Rotary Club Student Excellence Award Winner
The East Lansing Rotary Club was excited to announce that Joan Sirigiri was the 2017 Student Excellence Award Winner. Congratulations, Joan! 
East Lansing Rotarian Steven Melnyk Receives Paul Harris +1 Recognition
On January 9, 2017, East Lansing Rotary President Elect Ody Norkin presented East Lansing Rotarian Steven Melnyk with a Paul Harris +1 pin in recognition of his ongoing support for the Rotary Foundation. Pictured here, left to right are Steven Melnyk and Ody Norkin.
The history of Paul Harris Fellow recognition
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.
The first Paul Harris Fellows include 1937-38 RI Director Allison G. Brush and longtime RI Treasurer Rufus F. Chapin, both for donations made in 1946. Mrs. Adan Vargas was the first woman to receive the recognition, for a gift made in 1953. Mrs. Harry L. Jones was the second, and one of only five people recognized for contributions made in 1957.
Early Paul Harris Fellows received a certificate of recognition. In 1969, the Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the RI Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Japanese metal artist Fiju Tsuda created the piece under the direction of then-past Foundation Trustee Kyozo Yuasa. Today, Paul Harris Fellows receive a certificate and pin. They are also eligible to purchase a Paul Harris Fellow medallion.
Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honoring others. Ida LeTulle Taylor became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 when her husband, then-District Governor Vann Taylor, made a donation in her name in honor of their 34th wedding anniversary. The gift also made her the 25,000th Paul Harris Fellow.
At the International Assembly in 1979, then-RI President-elect James Bomar challenged each Rotary club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA, responded by making a donation in the name of Mother Teresa in 1980. The entertainer Pearl Bailey also became a Paul Harris Fellow through a joint effort of the Rotary clubs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk.
The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006.
- Learn more about the history of Rotary
- Learn about Rotary’s archives
Memorial – Douglas K. Langham
The East Lansing Rotary Club is saddened at the loss of long time member Doug Langham. Following are details about the memorial for Doug.
Doug passed away peacefully on June 9, 2016 at the age of 75. He was born in Mason, Michigan on September 15, 1940, the son of Ora Glenn (Doc) and Nellie Langham.
This kind, smart, gentle, generous man will be remembered as a much loved son, brother, uncle, friend and beloved husband to Joan Bauer.
After graduating from Mason High School and working for several years in Detroit, Doug moved to San Francisco in the late 1960s where he earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University Hayward. He returned to the Lansing area and earned a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. For the majority of his 30-year career with state government he was administrator of the Vocational Rehabilitation Division in the Michigan Department of Labor where he was well-known and deeply respected for his unwavering commitment to injured workers. He served as president of the Michigan Rehabilitation Association, which honored him with its Award of Excellence. He also received the National Rehabilitation Association’s prestigious Mary Switzer Scholar Award.
Doug was a dedicated member of the East Lansing Rotary, where as president he was instrumental in the decision to build the Playground at Patriarch Park. As part of a Rotary Humanitarian Aid Mission, he helped organize and deliver medical supplies from Lansing to Nicaragua. Doug was an active member of the Lansing Regional Sister City Commission, twice visiting Saint Petersburg, Russia.
In addition to his wife Joan Bauer, the love of his life, he is survived by his brother Richard Dimond, sister Dorothy Taylor, nephew James Taylor, parents-in-law Jean and Ted Bauer, brother-in-law Joe Bauer (Liz), sister-in-law Nancie Bauer, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who adored him. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald.
The family will receive visitors Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 5-8 pm at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing. A “Celebration of Doug’s Life” for friends and family will be held Thursday, June 23 at 3:00 pm at the Country Club of Lansing. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the East Lansing Rotary Foundation, the Michigan Maritime Museum for the Friends Good Will, and the Stoneleigh Residence/Hospice of Lansing. Most of all, you are encouraged to be kind to others in memory of this kind and gentle man. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com.
Peru Global Project Support
Fellow Rotarian’s –
I wanted to share with you that when Raef Fadel met and talked about his Peru Global Outreach Mission a few weeks ago, it was his hope that we, as a club, would offer some project support, specifically financial. This will be the ninth year this mission trip has taken place. If you remember from his presentation about 35 pre-med students, doctors and professors travel to South America with many supplies to help the people in need as best they can. The spend one week in Lima, and one week traveling up the Amazon, stopping at small villages and providing medical services off the boat.
The International committee listened to Raef share his experience and wants to support their project, but as a club we have already made our financial commitments for the year. Therefore, the International committee has agreed to put it on their agenda and will look at supporting this project as a budgeted line item for next year. That being said, Raef and his group of pre-med students have been a big help to us in working towards getting our MSU Rotaract club back off the ground. Raef himself is a past president of our previous Rotaract club and has introduced us to Colleen Reidy, a premed student who is helping us get the program reignited at Michigan State. Good things are happening as it pertains to the Rotaract club including working cooperatively with Okemos and Lansing in sponsoring our “renewed” club at Michigan State.
I would like to speak to the club about this project and ask that we “Pass the Hat” at our next meeting to support the Peru project this year. They have support from five other Rotary clubs including a $5,000 match from Traverse City, but it would look good for them to get support from what they would like to consider their parent club (because of the Rotaract connection).
Please bring your wallet or checkbook and an open heart and I hope we can send a few dollars to support this worthwhile project.
Yours in Rotary Service,
John Stauffer
Crystal Award – Rotarian Jim Little Honored
The Crystal Awards, hosted annually by the East Lansing City Council, honor individuals, businesses, professionals, non-profits and community groups that have made an outstanding contribution to community life in East Lansing.
Crystal Award recipients are dedicated to enhancing the East Lansing community. They demonstrate a passion for and commitment to creating a healthy and vibrant community and serve as an inspiration to others. Recipients are dedicated to enhancing the East Lansing community. They demonstrate a passion and commitment to creating a healthy and vibrant community and serve as an inspiration to others.
The Rotary Club of East Lansing was the non-profit recipient in 2015. This year, Rotarian Jim Little is the individual recipient.
Crystal Awards recipients are honored at a special community reception this Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 5 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. The Awards Ceremony will occur at 6:00 p.m.
In addition to the program, the reception will feature hors d’oeuvres and live music. All community members are invited to attend.
We especially encourage you to attend to congratulate Jim and to demonstrate strong support from our Rotary Club.
Dr. John Dunn, East Lansing Rotarian
On September 11, 2014 East Lansing Rotarian, Dr. John Dunn passed away after a brief illness. In his obituary was included the following words from John:
“I have had time to reflect about my life, a member of a large loving family, with each addition bringing joy in his or her own way. I can smile as I hear: “remember grandpa’s rule ‘always be nice!'” Adding friends over the years just made my life more meaningful and joyful.
Yet my main memory is of Judy slipping her hand into mine some 51 years ago. She never let go. As a completely special and unique lady, and my true love, I was able to travel life well. I thanked her after, as I do now, for the care of our family, friends and especially me.
I enjoyed studying many things; especially medicine. Saying the phrase “May I help you?” was important to me. I tried to help family, friends, residents, staff, patients and especially Judy. I especially enjoyed teaching struggling second graders.
For my last lesson, I ask the reader, today, to take out a clean sheet of paper. Carefully print “Now!” on it. Please date and sign it. From time to time take it out and reflect about your note. If there is a “Now!” in your life please consider doing it. It’s sad for me to know I must leave, especially to leave my love, Judy. I am going to “another home”, with my LORD’s support. I trust I will travel well. -John S. Dunn, M.D. ”
The members of the East Lansing Rotary Club extend their deepest sympathy to the Dunn family.