Friday, May 4, 2007 - Rotary Scholarship Program

26th Rotary Scholarship Program

      Today, Union City Rotarians and other generous donors come together for the 26th Annual Rotary Scholarship Program—awarding nearly $145,000 in scholarships to hundreds of deserving Obion County graduating seniors who plan to attend college next year. 
     Today’s scholarship banquet helps prove the claim, “Obion County believes in education—from birth through college.”  Rotary is also instrumental in the Reading Railroad and the Promethean Project.
     The Rotary Scholarship Program started in 1982 when Rotarian Hardy M. Graham donated $1,000 to establish a $10,000 trust fund in memory of fellow Rotarian Gus B. White, the first President of the Union City Rotary Club. 
     The concept of providing for Obion County’s students grew increasingly popular.  Last year, more than $300,000 in scholarships were awarded, brining the 25-year total to $2.6 million in scholarships.  More than 2,000 students have received scholarships since the program launched.       
     Those who qualify for Rotary Scholarships have to meet a financial needs test and submit to interviews before the Rotary Scholarship Committee.  Members of this year’s Scholarship Committee are chairman Roger Williams, Clint Joiner, Ron Green, Steve Vaughn, Newell Graham, Gary Houston and Jim Cawley.  Barry Keathley will emcee today’s program.  A special thanks to Dave Schlager for arranging today’s seating assignments and decorations and to First Baptist Church for allowing us to use the Family Life Center.  Other special thanks goes to the local accounting firm of A-T-A for handling the money and getting it to the students, to Virgin’s Nursery for today’s table decorations, to Commercial  Bank & Trust for the use of it’s community meeting room during the three days of interviews, the Union City Daily Messenger for it’s special edition paper highlighting today’s program, our high school guidance counselors and Clint Joiner for the PowerPoint presentation we will be viewing today.
     Last, but certainly not least, thanks to all of this year’s donors! Congratulations recipients!

Mark Brooks to Visit Rotary

Next week, Rotarians will hear from former Union Citian, Mark Brooks, director of sales at WBBJ-TV in Jackson.
 Mark will talk to us about some of the changes coming to broadcast television stations—particularly as they relate to the pending changeover to digital capabilities versus analog.
After graduation from UCHS in 1976 and then from Lambuth University in 1980, Mark followed his father, the late Verne Brooks, in the radio profession, taking a job in Jackson as radio account executive. Within a few years, he joined WBBJ-TV, the ABC affiliate which covers 43 counties. Stay tuned!

Rotary Exchange Visitors

     Last week, our Rotary Club played host to five visitors from Europe as part of Rotary’s Exchange Program.
     Our guests included Henri Lamoise, a software consultant; Maria Puchol, a chemical engineer and lab consultant; Fabrice Reboullet, a business security consultant; Nicolas Bullfile, a real estate agent; and Phillippe Ayme, a television director and cameraman.  They took turns talking about life in France, showing pictures of their families, pets and homes, and relating their experiences in America.
     Their visit to Union City was part of a month-long visit to Tennessee.  Thanks to Bill and Linda Simrell for hosting our visitors last weekend.

Rotary Relays

     Last week, the 30th Annual Rotary Relays were held at the UCHS track, attracting several teams from West Tennessee and Western Kentucky.  Dyersburg girls and Munford boys walked away with the championships last week.
    Thanks to all Rotarians who helped stage the event, directed by Rotarians Randy Barnes and Jim Rippy, Jr.

Coming Attractions

5/17     Ladies Night (Thursday, 6:30 PM) Supper followed by Musical Entertainment
5/25     Verhine Scholarship Program
6/1       TBA

       Happy Anniversary

5/7       Charles and Laura Denaburg

Rotary Scholarship Program Through the Years

     1982      $1,000           1995      $80,500

     1983      $4,000           1996      $96,250

     1984      $5,000           1997    $119,850

     1985      $9,500           1998    $129,435

     1986    $18,000           1999    $121,000

     1987   $21,500           2000    $131,750

     1988    $37,000           2001    $139,100

     1989    $45,250           2002    $140,000

     1990    $56,000           2003    $353,375

     1991    $58,500           2004    $304,000

     1992    $59,000           2005    $275,000

     1993    $61,750           2006    $143,000

     1994    $68,000           2007    $145,000

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