The South Tyler Rotary Club (STR) had several reasons to celebrate at its club meeting on Monday, June 18, 2018:
South Tyler Rotary Club honored outgoing President Nancy Crawford with the inaugural SPIRIT OF TYLER award. This annual award honors individuals who personify the Rotary motto "Service above Self" and serve the Tyler community. Crawford distinguished herself through continuous service as Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT) for over 25 years. LCOT began in 1990 serving 100 students in its adult literacy program. Under Crawford's leadership, LCOT has expanded its program offerings and now serves over 2000 students a year in 19 locations. LCOT has been honored as an "Elite" program by the State of Texas and has received numerous other awards. In Rotary, Crawford led STR to new highs during her tenure as President. Through her professional and public service accomplishments in serving the needs of the residents of Tyler, Crawford exemplifies the true SPIRIT OF TYLER. Therefore, South Tyler Rotary Club has bestowed its first annual SPIRIT OF TYLER award to Nancy Crawford.
In addition, the South Tyler Rotary Club installed Amanda Folmar as its 2018-2019 President. Notably, she is the youngest President in this club’s 52 year history. Charles "Pic" Pickens, STR’s very first President, was there to pass the gavel (“Pic” served in 1967-1968). In addition, there were 20 past South Tyler Presidents in attendance, including Curt Boldt, Tom Eckert, John Hart, Rob Jones, Terry Brannon, John King, Tom Seale, Jim Guay, Mark Roberts, Jesse Acosta, Bill Coates, Rich Davis, Dave Sherman, Tom DeWitt, John Hart, Steve Taylor, and Nancy Crawford. Performing the installation was Judy Guthrie, incoming Rotary 5830 District Governor (she was the first woman in the Carthage Rotary Club). Other officials from Rotary District 5830 included current District Governor Ted Huffhines of Marshall, District Governor Nominee Jack Welge of Longview, several Past Rotary District Governors: John Childs (Tyler Rotary); Shirley Griffin (Longview Rotary); Carroll Greenwaldt (Longview Rotary); Tom DeWitt (STR); and Lee Montgomery (STR). Also present to show support for the South Tyler Rotary Club were Todd Froebe, incoming President for the Rotary Club of Lindale, and George Roberts, incoming President for the Rotary Club of Tyler.
