Crete Rotary Club
Crete, NE
Thank you all for the well-attended meeting on Wednesday!  The next meeting, we'll be presenting the Howards with a certificate of recognition for their generous donation of $5000 towards our efforts in Ukraine.  It will be presented by Carol Horner, our district governor.  Please continue to make an effort to attend so we can show our appreciation to the Howards.  A meal will be served, but it's to be determined.  An email asking for a head count will be coming out within the next week.  
 
The meeting on June 8th, will be hearing from the RYLA participant and Scholarship winners.  Please check your schedules to attend that meeting as well if possible.
 
As a club, we voted on planting trees at Rotary Park and Northward Park.  We will be asking for a $1000 grant match from the District, totaling $2000 with our contribution.  Jack and Janelle will be submitting the application in the next couple weeks.  
 
Lastly for business, there was an ask for members to come forward if they're interested in being on the city's Cemetery board.  The time commitment is relatively small, so please reach out to either Tom P or Jenn L if you're interested.
 
Last week, we had the pleasure of hearing from Roger Hughes, current president of Doane University.  He stated many improvements he's planning on making in his time there and his vision to be the institution everyone wants to be like.  He doesn't want to try to be like others, he wants to set a new path that other institutions will model themselves after.  He will do that by investing in technology, giving raises to employees, building new dorms (Burrage and Colonial will be torn down), and wants the new Presidents house to be an entertainment center where faculty, students, and guests feel welcome.  He understands COVID changed the way students learn--now 80% want to learn on their own time when it works for them rather than in a traditional classroom.  He's aware of the need to adapt to meet those needs or Doane will suffer the same fate as an estimated 250 schools in the next 5 years: going out of business. 
 
Overall, his message was inspiring and the community looks forward to see the changes he makes to the culture of Doane University!  Thank you, Roger!