In a room packed with Rotarians and guests, President Ian called the meeting to order in due form. Señor Arroz provided song, and Sara delivered the inspirational message.
GUESTS
Guests included Nancy Notis’ grandsons Tyler and Brian and Rosemary Counts from the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The Service Credit Union’s Gala is coming up. See Brandi for information.
- April 2nd is our Joke Meeting.
- Nomination forms are available to nominate a community member for their Vocational Service.
- May 15th is the United Way Day of Caring. Check their website.
- The Gordon Allen Humanitarian Award will be given on April 9th. See more information above
- Club Social is Thursday, March 26th at the Black Rock Club. Gates open at 5:30.
- Finally, make your contribution to the Rotary Foundation. With $25 you attain Every Rotarian Every Year. With $100 you become a Sustaining Member.
THE PROGRAM: UNH Dean Lucy Gilson
Lucy Gilson, Dean of the UNH Paul College of Business & Economics, shared that she had been to a Rotary meeting prior to today. She was recognized in high school for the volunteer organization she created and had the plaque to prove it. Even though she had to go to her basement to find it.
Her journey to UNH started in Portugal, where she was born, but she soon moved to Brazil and then Peru. High school years were spent in Ridgefield, Ct., before attending college at Georgetown where she rowed crew. Not surprisingly, she showed up at college being a tri-lingual student.
Upon graduating, Lucy went to work for M&M Mars in London, where she was responsible for launching new drink products. Interestingly, when you go to work at Mars, they require all employees to work in the factory for a month. She was responsible for making sure that “M” on all the products was standardized.
Moving to Atlanta, Lucy attended Georgia Tech, where she coached crew and obtained her master’s and PhD. The next move brought her north to UConn where she was Associate Dean for Faculty & Outreach.
Her research at UConn focused on creativity and standardization. Customers like things to be the same (standards) and companies like creativity. She was one of the first to focus on teams working in a virtual environment (long before COVID made that a necessity.)
Dr Gilson was encouraged to interview for the UNH position and then decide if she really wanted it. She did. This meant another move.
What makes UNH unique is that faculty really do care about their students. Paul College is the best kept secret in the northeast. It’s ranked #1 in New England for educational value. This is determined by academic experience and career outcomes. Some 83% of Paul’s graduates have at least one internship and 96% have a job upon graduation.
The college focuses on innovation and outreach. It also teaches undergraduates basic math skills required for advanced courses. Since New Hampshire has the oldest working population combined with small businesses, the school has created a speakers bureau called GOLD (Graduates Of the Last Decade.) The program is designed to let folks know what the college has to offer.
Lucy Gilson is a brilliant, selfless, energetic, and humorous leader. It was an honor to have her with us.
