banner
Stories
Guest Speaker: Donald Peterson
It's just as true now as it has been for decades -- engineering students at their graduation ceremony, chanting "We've got jobs!" 
 
The demand for skilled engineers is greater now than it's ever been; students often have job offers, and even full paying jobs, lined up for themselves before they even get their degree.  But Dr. Donald Peterson says in this environment, Northern Illinois University is able to stand out because of the hands-on training it gives to students; and its location near one of the most desirable markets for engineers in the country certainly doesn't hurt.
 
Dr. Peterson is Dean of the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology; he says the students they produce can hold their own with the best at places such as MIT, Stanford and Cal-Berkeley, because their approach emphasizes practical application and career planning...and not just the use of technology.
 
While having access to the latest tech is certainly advantageous, students can become too dependent on it; he recounted the story of one businessman who took a stack of resumes from soon-to-be MIT grads -- and pitched them.  He says these students are too reliant on technology, and have proven themselves to be less than helpful in a real-world business environment.
 
Dr. Peterson says Northern gives its students a well-rounded approach to learning the skills they need, and blending it with the technical tools of the trade, to give them the career development they need.
 
Help keep Sebastian busy -- invite him to join you during his Rotary year
To help our new exchange student Sebastian get settled in to life here in Sycamore, all Rotarians are invited to involve him in local activities and experiences throughout his Rotary year.
 
Julie Sgarlata, for example, will be taking him to a Bears game; and he has a school activity pass, which will allow him to attend school events.  And he may be joined by other exchange students from around District 6420, in helping us out at Pumpkin Fest.
 
If you have anything you would like to invite Sebastian to participate in, please contact Bert Gray for more information.
 
 
Upcoming Events
Meals on Wheels Deliveries End
Aug 31, 2018
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Brian Adams
August 2
 
Beata Palasiewicz
August 4
 
Steve Balster
August 5
 
Benjamin Swedberg
August 13
 
Spouse Birthdays
Kathleen Merner
August 22
 
Anniversaries
James Bowers
Mary Bowers
August 3
 
Brian Adams
Amanda Adams
August 4
 
Chase Goodeill
Rachel Goodeill
August 5
 
Douglas Johnson
Susan Johnson
August 9
 
Nicole Stuckert
Michael Stuckert
August 9
 
Larry Berke
Kay
August 15
 
Lavarre Uhlken
Connie Uhlken
August 15
 
Riley Oncken
Heather Oncken
August 17
 
Benjamin Swedberg
Lori
August 22
 
Larry Sill
Judy Sill
August 29
 
Bert Gray
Kathleen Merner
August 31
 
Kathleen Merner
Bert Gray
August 31
 
Join Date
Troy Oates
August 1, 2014
4 years
 
Brandon Diviak
August 5, 2015
3 years
 
Jeffrey Petersen
August 12, 2010
8 years
 
William Scott
August 31, 2012
6 years
 
Club Information
Rotary Club of Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore
We meet Wednesdays at 11:45 AM
Blumen Gardens
403 Edward Street
Sycamore, IL  60178
United States
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2018-2019
President – Ray Dembinski
President-Elect – Pat Shafer
Past President – Eric Jones
Secretary – Sally Bruch
Treasurer – Michele Jurkovic
Assistant Treasurer – Lavarre Uhlken
Director – Michael DeVito
Director – Paulette Renault
Sergeant-at-Arms – Brian Adams
 
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Foundation & Grants – Paul Stromborg
New Generations – Julie Sgarlata
Service Projects – Michael DeVito
Fundraising – Don Clayberg
Public Image – Brian Adams
Membership – Sally Bruch
Club Fellowship – Chad Jewett
75th Anniversary – Pat Shafer
 
MONTHLY COMMITTEES
July – Board of Directors
August – Lloyd Larson, Jim Buck, Dave McCann, Ben Swedberg, Bob Wildenradt, Don Clayberg
September –Paul Michel, Bert Gray, Jeff Jacobson, Mario Fontana, Brandon Diviak
October – Dave Andrews, Jim Schwarzbach, Beata Palasiewicz, Curt Lang, Marcy Buick
November – Kathy Countryman, Julie Sgarlata, Fred Peltz, Chip Houdek, Troy Oates
December – Dan Gibble, Dan Escatel, Kathleen Merner, Steve Balster, Julie Sommese
January –Paul Barnaby, Chad Jewett, Jim Bowers, Gary Evans, Tatum Glas, Heidi Wright
February – Riley Oncken, Ahmed Kamel, Larry Berke, Brian Gregory, Nicole Stuckert
March – Dave Hamilton, Jeff Petersen, Doug Johnson, Mark Hilde, Tim Carlson
April – Bob Hammon, Suzanne Anderson, Sejal Patel, Paul Borek, Chase Goodeill, Paul Callighan
May – Mark Spiegelhoff, Zac Sheedy, Jeff Frank, Cliff Bottigliero, Renae Wilkinson
June – Marijo Schwartz, Paul Stromborg, Jeff Keicher, Steve Kuhn, Tom Mangan, Jim Stoddard
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner