September 9, 2009 Bulletin

The Bulletin -- September 9, 2009 (#1007)

SUNY PLATTSBURGH’S PRESIDENT, JOHN ETTLING, PRESENTED A “STATE OF THE COLLEGE” UPDATE TO THE ROTARY CLUB. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED STUDENT ENROLLMENT, NEW PROGRAMS AND NEW PROJECTS THAT CONTINUE TO MAKE PLATTSBURGH STATE A GREAT CAMPUS. HE IS SHOWN ABOVE WITH COLIN READ (RIGHT).

Program: John Ettling, President of SUNY Plattsburgh,

President Ettling began with a few numbers and statistics which paint the picture of the student body at SUNY Plattsburgh. Undergraduate enrollment is up to 6,300 students and includes 400 students on the Branch Campus. The graduate students enrolled in Master’s Programs have stayed at a steady 660. The college is what SUNY calls a comprehensive college with a smattering of Master’s programs - most of which have to do with education. The ratio of students to faculty is 17 to 1 and interestingly, there are more female students than male.

The caliber of students, at least as it can be measured on paper, has grown steadily and pronounced improvement over the last few years. Fifty percent of our incoming first year students graduated high school with grades in the 85%-91% range. Twenty-five percent of incoming students fall above that range and 25% fall below it. The same can be said for SAT/ACT scores.

“The last five years has seen a 35% increase in applications which is the third year in a row where over 9,000 people applied for enrollment,” said Ettling. “We are forced to turn away many qualified students, but that said, we have shown a 7% increase in enrollment over the last four years.” This increase has helped buffer the college from the financial exigencies the state of New York is enduring these days. Ettling said that if enrollments stay up, it will mitigate the difficulties somewhat that the college faces financially.

The college continues to develop new and innovative programs including those in Expeditionary Studies and Adolescent Education. Bob Golden’s work on the Branch Campus has continued to take it exceptional directions. Army ROTC and Canadian Studies are both flourishing and there are many new projects including construction of new buildings on the horizon.

This Week:

There is a fishing tournament committee scheduled for next week (9/16), however, since the club is heading to Nova Bus on Banker Rd. for the regularly scheduled meeting, the tournament committee will meet the following week (9/23) at 11:30 a.m. at the Elk’s Lodge.
Anyone who hasn’t signed the card for Ange LaMariana may do so today. He’s currently at CVPH.
Terianne Pavone presented our Club Banner to Visiting Rotarian Mona Mlawa.
Peter Cadieux presented his guest Andy Leigh from Australia with a club banner.
Sept. 21st (12-3 p.m. at the CCC Dining Hall) is a Strategic Planning Session Board Meeting. All members are invited.
Bonnie read a thank you letter from Joshua Fleming, Rotary’s CCC Scholarship recipient.

Visiting Rotarians: Mona Mlawa (Rotary of Kwanza), Michael Luck (Burlington, VT Rotary), John Jablonski (Hon. Mem.)

Guests: Robin Murrell (Ita Bullard); Kerry Haley (Bob Parks); Nicole Mero-Dutil (Ellen Bouchard); Andy Leigh (Peter Cadieux); John Homburger (Keith Tyo).

Seasoned Member Talk—Colin Read:
Colin did a show and tell video of the places he’s lived to make his presentation a little different from his “new member” talk which was a few short years ago. He was born in Vancouver, Canada and lived his childhood there where he went to community college. He attended Simon Frazier University to study Physics before moving to Kingston, Ontario. There, Colin switched his major to Economics which is what he acquired his PH.D. in at Queens University. For a year he lived in London and then joined the Harvard Institute for National Development as an Economist. They sent Colin off to Jakarta, Indonesia for work on regional economics. When he returned to Boston he continued to work through Harvard at the Joint Central Housing Study for a bit before striking out for Alaska. What was meant to be a five year stint turned into fifteen years. He remembers the women in Alaska used to say regarding dating, “The odds are good, but the goods are odd.” He always felt he resembled that remark…
Colin moved to Plattsburgh via Connecticut as the Dean of the School of Business. He recently stepped down from that role and is back into teaching among many other things. He has written four books and is going to be getting married soon in Belize. Among his many talents, Colin is a pilot and offered rides to anyone interested.

Announcements:

Rotary Polo Shirts: The shirts aren’t going to be ready in time for Roducky Derby but they will be ready next week. You can pick up your shirt from Jody Carpenter outside of Nova Bus.
Roducky Derby Committee—Ellen Bouchard: Saturday is the big day and we are still looking for 6 people per shift to help sell ducks. We’re looking for 6 additional people to help set up the track from 7:30-9:00 a.m. Ellen’s big plea is to help sell ducks!
Rotary Bike Day (Sept. 23) - Sara Rowden: There are two rides scheduled. The longer of the two starts at 9 a.m., and the shorter more leisurely ride begins at 10 a.m. Both start and finish at the Station Café in Chazy. Sign up on the sheet being passed. It’s not a competitive race—come and join the fun. You get credit for attendance if you attend.
Field Trip to Nova Bus—Bob Smith: Bob took a count of people who are planning to attend Nova Bus. The Ground Round has agreed to prepare boxed lunches. Nova Bus has recommended carpooling and requests no open-toed shoes or sandals be worn as it is a manufacturing plant. Turn right where Tom Miller meets the Banker Rd.
Membership Committee Meeting—Marsha Cook: Marsha has an updated list of member participation. If you would like to know where you stand in terms of participation percentage, please see her.
Battle of Plattsburgh Parade Marshals—Bob Parks/Kit Booth: Bob: They still need volunteers for parade marshals. Please sign up and help out if you can. Meet across the from the Elk’s Lodge at 1:15pm. All you need to do is help pace the parade. You can still sell ducks before and after the parade. Kit: Please sign up for the Roducky Derbry. The BoP has a lot of help, even though there is still a need for parade marshals. Rotary Club needs your help. Friday morning at 11a.m. there will be a memorial service for the 200+ people buried there. Commodore Bill Rowe and Phil Green have offered to take people to the island. Let them know a.s.a.p. as space is limited.

Auction Item: Four pairs of Battle of Plattsburgh Buttons were auctioned for $20-$25 per pair.

Bonnie’s Bucks:

John McGaulley ran into Dick Price and his wife. They look good and he belongs to a new Rotary Club. A side comment from John: He tried to call Amtrak’s 800 number and mistakenly dialed a pornographic hot-line! What’s worse is that he dialed it twice!
Bob Miller’s last day is today. I’ll see you in the spring
Josh Kretser is excitedly awaiting his new niece. Amy hasn’t had her yet, but is due any day.
Ellen Bouchard reminded everyone again to please help out with duck sales on Saturday. It’s worth two make-ups. The important shift needing coverage is 1:30-3:30.
Sara Rowden announced that Jack Dee is married now!
Bob Perkins had $10 for John McGaully because the call he made was probably $10 a minute!
Cathy Forget also had a dollar for John. She encouraged him to call her with travel questions. She has the right numbers!

50/50: The pot is worth $500. Drawing for the two of hearts, Bob picked 4 of spades.

Rotary Fun Fact: It costs $0.60 to vaccinate one child for Polio.

Upcoming Programs: Go to Membership Duties List