Higher Education in California!

Posted by Mark Huffman on Jun 23, 2017

President Dan McVeigh opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking Elfrena Foord (Foord, Van Bruggen Pajak) for getting us started with her piano set, Kevin Williams (KVIE) for his additional musical selections, and greeters Kathe Nathan (The Merchant’s National Bank), Chris Ann Bachtel (First Northern Bank), and Jeff Curcio (Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP).  Special thanks also went out to Elfrena Foord and Bruce Hester (Collier’s International) for sponsoring the wine reception.

The Thought for the Day was given by Bob Rosenberg (Inve$net Inc.) who advocated for the importance of “lifelong learning.”  He read Ten Tips “that can help you stay connected, motivated and identify new ways to grow and develop:

1.     Know your interests

2.     Acknowledge your learning style

3.     Set goals

4.     Develop good reading habits

5.     Seek resources

6.     Join a group of like-minded learners

7.     Get Involved

8.     Share your skills and knowledge

9.     Take an online course or attend a course at your local college/university

10.   Stay curious

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Sargent-At-Arms Tom Bacon (Kidder Matthews) introduced our Guests, Prospective Members and Visiting Club members who were welcomed warmly.

President Dan introduced the head table:  Chair of the Day President Elect Elect Diane Woodruff, speaker Jacob Jackson, Invocator Bob Rosenberg, New Member Julie Sherry (Watson Companies, Inc.), and New Member Steve Hymas (Downey Brand LLP).

 President Dan then had the honor of inducting our new members.  Julie Sherry was  sponsored by Becki Roberts (Central Valley Community Bank) and Jeff Vonkaenel  (Sacramento News & Review), and Steve Hymas by Pres. Dan McVeigh and Jim Paul  (Paul Benefits Law Corp).

 

 

Jim Leet (Boutin Jones Inc.) and Anne Ferguson (ChamberChic Interior Redesign &  Decorating Services) representing the Rotary Club of Sacramento Foundation had the honor of presenting its scholarship to Emma Ceja.  Emma graduated from Vista Del Lago High School, in Folsom, and will be attending Folsom Lake College in the fall.  Congratulations Emma!


President Dan then recognized recent Polio Plus contributors during his term as president.  Two donations that were particularly notable were from Nancy Teichert (Writer) who made a $1,000 contribution, and Jim Streng (Streng Bros Rentals, LLC) who made a $900 contribution.  In all, $10,365 was donated by the Club to Polio Plus during the 2016-2017 term.

The announcements were as follows:


 -John Wood (McGee & Thielen Insurance Brokers) announced that as of July 11, 2017 the Rotary Club of Sacramento will begin a four-week trial period of our weekly meetings at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, located at 600 Alhambra Blvd; Parking is on 30th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816.           

-Past President Hal Bartholomew (Bartholomew & Wasznicky LLP) announced the “Annual Swim/BBQ” on July 23 at 3:00 PM.

-Dick Osen: Golf 4 Kids on August 7

-Roy Alexander (Sacramento Children's Home): Theater Night, June 23.

After some Rotary Fellowship, it was time for some Roast, Boast and Toast.  Past President John Frisch (Cornish & Carey Commercial) was called to answer for being featured in a recent publication that included a large color photograph.  Despite a valiant attempt to avoid due responsibility by noting he was wearing his Rotary Pin in the photo, President Dan didn’t relent until Past President John Frisch agreed to finish up his Eddie Mulligan with a $425 donation and an additional $300 donation to Polio Plus.  The Club’s greatest humanitarian came through again.
 
Dr. Don Brown rose to offer $200 towards his Paul Harris to commemorate his 65th wedding anniversary, Bob Rosenberg donated $150, and Ed Wright (Martensen Wright PC) donated $100 towards his Paul Harris in honor of his daughter’s graduation from UCLA as a Phi Beta Kappa.
 
President Elect Elect Diane then did the honor of introducing our speaker of the day, Jacob Jackson of the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).  Jacob is a research fellow at the PPIC Higher Education Center. His research includes work on college costs, college readiness, community college participation, access to higher education, and college completion. Before joining PPIC, he was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Davis, and a middle school and high school teacher in Sacramento, California, and Columbia, Missouri. He holds a PhD in education from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri.
 
Jacob presented a number of charts that revealed some very interesting information about the state of higher education in California. 
 
  • Most California students, about 68%, attend public institutions. 
  • Demand for college workers will outstrip supply by 2030.  It is estimated by 2030 there will be 1 million fewer college educated workers than there is supply for.  New investments will be required to meet those goals to improve student access, graduation rates, and speed of graduation.
  • More high school graduates are competing for limited university spots.  More students are ready for college, but enrollments in UC and CSU have not expanded.  Nonresident enrollment in the UC is on the rise, and more California students are leaving the state to attend college.
  • Many students take longer than four years to earn Bachelor’s degrees.  Only 61% of UC, 16% of CSU, 58% of Private Nonprofit, and 10% of Private for-profit students complete college in four years.
  • Groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education – those who are low income or who would be the first in their families to go to college, and racial/ethnic groups such as Latinos, African Americans, and American Indians, will be a solid majority of California’s future college age population.  Improving access for these groups is therefore critical.
  • State investment in public universities in California has declined significantly, especially with the UCs and CSUs.
  • College costs are increasing.  In the past 20 years, tuition at the UCs and CSUs has tripled.  Expanded financial aid has helped, but at the cost of graduating with a large debt load.  Nevertheless, more students than ever are relying on loans.
With that, President Dan dismissed everyone wishing them a good week.
 
Thank you John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) for the photos!