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Al Peskoe lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Paul Peacock gave the Invocation.

 

Pres. Mika welcomed Guest Speaker Paul Brown, Pres. of Monmouth University.

 

Announcements:

·        Please sign up for Holiday Food Drive at Shoprite on 11/23 & 11/24

·        6 weeks left to sell raffle tickets

·        Power washing and painting Ronald McDonald House has been delayed until spring.  Possibly make it a fundraiser also ie.: sell refreshments and 50/50 tickets.

·        Holiday part will be the 2nd week in December at Piancone’s

·        Happy Hour tonight – 1st Friday of November

 

Paul Dement introduced Paul Brown, 8th President of Monmouth University from Lehigh where he was Dean of College of Business & Economics.

 

Dr. Paul Brown, President of Monmouth University, speaks to our Club 

 

Dr. Paul Brown Comes to Rotary

 

The place “Where Leaders Look Forward” has a new leader. His name is Dr. Paul Brown and as of August 1st of this year, he became the 8th President in the history of Monmouth University.

 

On Friday of last week Dr. Brown graciously spoke to our club about his background, the state of Monmouth U and his newly found love of our community.

 

“I was the Dean of the Business College at Lehigh University, “ said Dr. Brown, “and I thought that was going to be where I finished my career. But one visit to this beautiful University, rich in its history and tradition, and this wonderful community and I had to reconsider.”

 

In his previous role, Dr. Brown served as dean of the College of Business and Economics at Lehigh University from 2007 to 2013. Under Dr. Brown's leadership, the College of Business and Economics completed a transformative and wide-sweeping Strategic Plan.  Dr. Brown also managed historically high levels of enrollment in both undergraduate and graduate programs and recruited and hired faculty at an unprecedented pace.  During his time at Lehigh, he raised over $40 million in unrestricted funds and for endowed faculty chairs.

 

Now he’s clearly focused on his new job at Monmouth. “We’re geared towards creating great student experiences,” said Dr. Brown.  He indicated one of the initiatives would be to attract students from other areas of the country. “Right now 75% of our student population is from New Jersey. Down from 80% - that’s good, but we need to do better.”

 

When asked how that could be achieved, Dr. Brown remarked: “I think first by promoting our strengths: programs like Marine & Biology studies for example. Second, we need to continue to engage high school counselors as they play a very important role in the student’s decision-making process. Third is the continued growth of our Division I Sports Programs and finally is the promotion of our ancillary activities and our community.”

 

There’s no doubt that Monmouth University has undergone an amazing transformation over the past 10 – 15 years. Under Dr. Brown’s Leadership, it’s clear that the best days are still ahead.

 

Ted Friedli, long time Rotarian and owner of Excel Travel

SPOTLIGHT ON A ROTARIAN – Ted Friedli

 

A new feature of Rotary Round Up will be to introduce some of our members in a more candid way.

 

Ted Friedli joined the Long Branch Rotary Club 13 years ago, has served on  the board, received the Paul Harris award and is our Program Chairman.

 

So if you would like to do a presentation to our club or know of somebody else who has something interesting to say, please have him/her contact Ted.

 

Joanna (his wife) and Ted have owned Excel Travel (Atlantic Ave, Long Branch) for 20 years, and with a great team of experienced vacation planners, still enjoy making people's dreams come true, as if it was their first day. 

 

Excel Travel's slogan is "Make Us Happy - Go Away", but Ted is quick to add that they have no interest in going away (i.e. retiring) any time soon (it's just too much fun) and is committed to staying in Long Branch for a long, long time ("we just raised our house, after suffering major damage in Superstorm Sandy"). You will find 4 flags on their flag pole. On top, of course, the star spangled banner, then the Swiss flag for Ted who came over from Switzerland in his 20s, the Greek Flag for Joanna (whose grandparents immigrated from there), and the Chinese flag for their daughter Jordana (who they adopted from China).

 

True to Rotary Spirit, Ted founded a not-for-profit organization three years ago, called Kick Cancer Overboard, with the mission to give away free cruises to people affected by Cancer. So, when the recipients are on the ship, they don't have to worry about how to pay for their next medical bill, but their main concern is whether to play bingo, get a massage or sing karaoke all night long (loud and off-key, nobody cares, as long as everybody has a great time. In these 3 short years, Kick Cancer Overboard (thanks to the support of many Rotarians) has been able to give away 80 free cruises! You may contact Ted at ted@exceltravel.com.

Become a Thousand-aire!

Win The Long Branch Rotary Club 50/50 Raffle!

 

There’s still time to get your Raffle Ticket for the big 50/50 drawing this year. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased from any club member. The drawing is December 13th and winners need not be present. Three chances to win with a 1st prize of $2500. It’s not a bad return for a $10 dollar ticket so get yours today. A portion of the proceeds will go to purchase of a Shelter Box for disaster relief.

 

Each green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.

Rotary Club Annual Food Drive

 

The Club Food Drive is underway once again this year and the less fortunate of our area need our support. Last year the food drive became one of the most important events in the history of our Club. We collected and delivered over 20,000 pounds of food to the pantries and churches of Long Branch and West Long Branch. Please drop off non-perishable and canned goods to any one of the drop off places listed here. Or stop by The Rotary Club table in front of Shop Rite on November 23rd or 24th.

 

You can also donate to the food drive online at: http://rclb.bigcartel.com

 

Food Drive Drop Off Locations:

• NJ Ink Shop - 177 Locust Ave West Long Branch

• Wells Fargo – 555 Ocean Blvd West End

• Atlantic Security – 44 Oceanport Ave West Long Branch

• Central Jersey Bank - 444 Ocean Blvd Ursula Plaza Long Branch

• Monmouth Medical Center – Long Branch

• Tucci Hot & Crupi PC – 464 Broadway Long Branch

• Investors Bank -169 Broadway Long Branch

• Greater Long Branch Chamber – 228 Broadway Long Branch

• Monmouth University – West Long Branch

• Shore Creative Group – 176 Broadway Long Branch

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 Fatin Alkhaleel won the 50/50