Chancellor May Provides UC Davis Update
President Todd Koolakian what he termed “a rowdy crowd” to today’s meeting, acknowledging the mardi gras atmosphere and the approaching Super Bowl as contributors to club unruliness.
Shirlee Tully provided today’s reflection, which this recorder found good enough to quote in its entirety:
A few months ago, I was taking my usual walk with the dogs – lost in thought about our human predicament – with global climate change, income inequality, health disparities, wars, violence, and the staggering number of people without shelter right here in our neighborhoods. How can we solve any of these problems if we have lost the ability to listen to one another respectfully and find common ground? Engrossed in thought, I looked up and saw a bumper sticker that put it all into perspective.
BE KIND. WE’RE ALL IDIOTS.
I snapped a quick picture and posted it on Facebook. It got more likes, comments and shares than any photos of my adorable new puppy, the glorious meals I have made or the exotic trips I’ve taken – by a long shot. Something about this resonated deeply with people and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
What it means to me is that we are all flawed and we are all making it up as we go. Can we give each other some grace and maybe, just maybe, we can find enough in common to begin to move forward together? Paraphrasing American Buddhist teacher, Pema Chodren, “instead of making others right or wrong or bottling up right and wrong in ourselves, there’s a middle way, a powerful middle way. It involves keeping our minds and hearts open long enough to entertain the idea that our minds and hearts could be big enough to just hang out in that space where we’re not entirely certain about who’s right and who’s wrong. Could we have no agenda when we walk into a room with another person, not know what to say, not make that person wrong or right? Can we see, hear, feel other people as they really are?”
And the hard truth is that we can’t begin to practice this kind of radical acceptance of others until we accept what is right and wrong in ourselves. We need to be right to feel good and we don’t want to be wrong because it feels bad. But we could be more compassionate toward all these parts of ourselves. This practice will allow us to cultivate acceptance of others. The Buddhists call this Loving Kindness and it is the basis for extending unconditional friendliness to others.
So, I leave you with bumper stickers and Buddhist thoughts, but mainly this – STARTING WITH YOURSELF, JUST BE KIND! And know that the idiot in me accepts the idiot in you so we can move forward together.
Meeting sponsor Jamie Furlong donated her time to the Curiosity Collaborative and, in introducing Wes Samms, referred to the many ways Sacramento and New Orleans are similar, now with the addition of Sacramento’s own Mardi Gras Parade. Wes shared additional information about the event, including opportunities to sponsor and/or to ride on one of the floats. Cards were on every table (along with Mardi Gras paraphernalia) providing a QR code for additional information. The event is Saturday, March 9 from 2-9pm. Click here for more information.
President Todd adopted his game-show voice to introduce Elfrena Foord and Jim Culleton for Todd’s Tuesday Trivia. They offered trivial opportunities to ‘spot the lie’ among three Rotarians’ backgrounds. First, truths about John Massey and Shirlee Tully accompanied a ‘lie’ about John Swentowsky having been invited to the Playboy Mansion for a photo shoot and then truths about John Frisch and Paul Keefer accompanied the ‘lie’ about Jeanne Reaves that she was Sacramento Businesswoman of the Year (when, in fact, she was Sacramentan of the Year). Elfrena and Jim concluded by goading Chiefs fans into saying why they favor the Chiefs over the 49ers in this weekend’s Super Bowl.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
- John Swentowsky noted that Thursday, Feb. 29 is the club’s next day of service at Loaves & Fishes to prepare and serve lunch.
- Maggie Hopkins invited nominations by Feb. 24 for the Jean Runyon Award – the committee would love additional nominations for this outstanding award.
- egan Wygant announced that the Retention Committee – focused on keeping members in the club and ensuring new members get meaningfully engaged – is looking for additional members.
- Tom Bacon encouraged members to become Wine Sponsors – lots of opportunities in March and April.
- Steve Huffman welcomed back John Wood after his recent medical attention and encouraged members to write CareGram notes of encouragement to Kiefie Brewer as she recovers from a health issue.
- Megan Masten reminded all of the upcoming American River Parkway Cleanup on Feb. 17. Sign up!
- Past President Linda Geery announced that District 5180 is seeking facilitators/counselors for 2024 Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening). Interested Rotarians can find additional information by contacting her or on the website. Click here to apply for 2024 Camp RYLA .
LET’S GO SKIING
- John Wood expressed his thanks for all the CareGrams and put $100 toward Sarah Hodge’s next Eddie Mulligan
- April Javist noted possible state support for a reading initiative and put $100 toward her next Eddie Mulligan
- John Frisch put $250 toward his next Eddie Mulligan after being recognized for his long-standing support of The Salvation Army
- Kathy Herrfeldt thanked John Wood for his help with a business issue by putting $100 toward his next Eddie Mulligan.
- Jeanne Reaves honored the care her neonate grandson received at UCD Medical Center and put $250 toward her next Eddie Mulligan
- Tom Bacon honored Paul Keefer for messing up guest-name pronunciations in a time-honored Sgt.-at-Arms tradition ($75) and honored Robyn Delong, as well ($25)
- Megan Masten put $50 toward her next Eddie Mulligan to encourage members to let her know of an event space an organization she supports could use in coming weeks.
Chair of the Day Bob Rosenberg introduced speaker Dr. Gary May, Chancellor of UC Davis. Dr. May is the seventh chancellor leading one of the world’s great universities, including its main campus in Davis, its health system in Sacramento and the soon-to-emerge Aggie Square, also in Sacramento. Chancellor May has long been a leading voice for STEM and diversity and received a Presidential Award from President Barack Obama in 2015 for his leadership in STEM.
Chancellor May, who spoke to the club shortly after his 2017 arrival at UCD as Chancellor, said he was happy to be back. He said his speeches get shorter and better as the day goes on, but that ours was the first of the day…
He expressed his belief that UC Davis, notwithstanding the Causeway, is now very much part of the fabric of Sacramento – and not just because of the UCD Health System and the upcoming Aggie Square – the University is a big player and is part of the growth of the city and the region. Aggie Square will be an “innovation ecosystem” bringing $5 Billion in economic impact and will create 25,000 new jobs. It will also include $50 Million in local, affordable housing. The University is committed to experiential learning at all of its sites – including their Lake Tahoe and Bodega Bay sites – and Chancellor May noted that 80% of students participate in internships. The University’s aim is for every graduate to leave UCD with a job and/or acceptance into a graduate program, so they leave UCD ready to contribute and continue growing. He mentioned that UCD will soon embark on a new campaign “Believe in Better,” which will be an opportunity for alumni and supporters to invest in the continued evolution of the University.
UCD has many points of pride and Chancellor May touched on several: Ranked 1st in the nation in Agriculture, in Veterinary Medicine, in diversity, inclusion and internationalization, and in Campus Sustainability. It is ranked 2nd among public universities in “social mobility,” 6th among all public universities overall, 8th among public schools “making an impact,” and 10th among public universities by “value.” In short, UC Davis has grown from a regional point of pride to a national one.
After his prepared remarks, Chancellor May took questions:
Amin Elmallah asked about a recent article citing problems in US higher education, noting it is resistant to change. Dr. May noted that universities “change at the speed of retirement.”
Bobby Reed asked about housing issues, especially in Davis, which Dr. May acknowledged. The challenge hasn’t disappeared, but the City of Davis and the University are working together and the University has agreed to provide housing for all of its growth in student population, which they’re doing now.
April Javist asked about support for student mental health, citing last year’s tragic murders by a mentally ill former student. Dr. May said the University has a new program to assist students or anyone going through crisis – a team of people who are officials, but not police, to support and assist those in crisis and to avoid escalations.
Jamie Furlong noted, as a woman in STEM herself, that she was one of just two women in her program, and she hoped UCD was working to improve this. Dr. May assured her that this was the case and that the percentage of women and people of color in STEM is increasing at UCD.
Kevin Smith-Fagan asked about the culture challenge of a large organization like UCD with the main campus, Health System, Aggie Square, and the Lake Tahoe and Bodega Bay labs. Dr. May acknowledged that reality, but he ensures all understand the University is one organization under one boss – “my wife” (he said cheekily).
Kathy Herrfeldt asked Dr. May to share more about Aggie Square, given its location in Oak Park. He shared that they are doing their best to use local vendors and to hire 25% of their employees from surrounding (and challenged) Zip codes.
Paul Keefer asked about intercollegiate athletics, citing Dr. May’s own quote when he arrived about athletics being the University’s “front porch to the community.” Dr. May noted that UCD has more than 700 student athletes and 20+ NCAA teams, so he stands by his earlier statement. He also noted that he and his wife often go to contests – football, basketball, volleyball, etc.
President Todd thanked Chancellor May and presented him with a certificate noting that 100 individuals will receive Polio vaccine in his honor. President Todd then invited Paul Keefer to update on our next meeting. It will be at the same location, same time, and will feature Lisa Wrightsman of Street Soccer USA. President Todd rang the bell at 1:30pm.
President Todd thanked today’s Greeters, Elke Von Schlosser, Brad Schmidt, and Lev Kaganovich. The thanks continued to John McIntyre as Pulse Reporter, photographer John Swentowsky, and Walter Dahl who hosted the Wine Reception. President Todd also belatedly thanked John Goralka, who hosted last week’s Wine Reception.
Respectfully submitted, John McIntyre
Photos by John Swentowsky
