“If you don’t think your anxiety, depression, sadness and stress impact your physical health, think again. All of these emotions trigger chemical reactions in your body, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system. Learn how to cope, sweet friend. There will always be dark days.” ― Kris Carr

 

“Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.” ― Samuel Johnson 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Edward Perri)

 

Tod passed around the sign-up list for the gardening and seed sale volunteer project on Saturday May 19th at the Sola Gratia farm in Urbana. 

 

Oktay reminded everyone to send him club awards nominations by May 21st. See Oktay’s recent email for more information. 

 

Keith asked everyone to let him know if they plan on attending the club’s party on his and Kim’s house boat on May 27th, from 1pm to 4 pm. He will also be providing rides on his vintage runabout. Those wishing a closer look at Lake Shelbyville may take tube rides. See his recent email for further information and please let him know if you are attending so they can have enough refreshments. This social gathering takes the place of our May 31st meeting. 

 

Darrell noted that due to the kitchen remodeling at the Hawthorn Suites, our regular CUSR morning meetings of June 7th and June 14th will be at the Good Shepard Lutheran Church, 2101 S. Prospect, Champaign. Times with be the same and a light breakfast will be catered in.

 

CU Sunrise Rotary Charter Member, Jack Kamerer is back in town and stopped by to say hello to all.

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Phyllis introduced Laura Weisskopf Bleill as today’s speaker. Laura is the associate director of the University of Illinois Research Park. Her role includes directing the Research Park’s community building efforts, managing communications and branding, and facilitating resources for early-stage technology entrepreneurs. In 2017, she was honored by the Champaign County Innovation Celebration with the Entrepreneurial Excellence in Management Award.

 

Laura gave a brief history and the mission of the Research Park, it’s successful and continued growth, the various sponsors and contributors, and she touched on the future plans. The research park serves as a Tech Hub for startup companies, opportunities for national and international companies to do hands on research and development with talented University of Illinois students in a multi-discipline environment.

 

Starting as a joint public and private relationship between the University of Illinois and the local Fox/Atkins Development Group, the U of I Research Park is one of the top 20 research parks in the United States. Two hundred acres of land between South Oak and 4th Streets have been dedicated to the Research Park, and currently 100 acres have been developed.

 

The companies that have moved into the research park are among the leaders in the world. These companies are working with talented and skilled students from interdisciplinary backgrounds with superior skills that may include math, languages, chemistry, physics, engineering, arts, and communications. The opportunity for the companies to work with these students as interns enhances their recruitment opportunities. The current buildings in the park are near capacity with additional buildings currently being built and planned.   

 

 

 

  May 24th May 31st Jun 7th Jun 14th
Introductions Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover Jen Shelby Lou Simpson
Reflection John McDaniel Phyllis Mischo Scott Paceley Robb Patton
Greeters Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover Jen Shelby Lou Simpson
Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey Keith Brandau Ethan Chew
Song Leader Lou Simpson Jeff Van Buren Adam Wright Oktay Baran
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Conforti Perry

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

May 24th – Barbara Kessel, Books to Prisoners (Mary)

May 31st – No morning meeting – Club Social instead

June 7th – Alternate Location – Dr Pauketat, U of I professor of Anthropology and Archaeologist at Cahokia World Heritage Site

June 14th – Alternate Location – Micah Putnam, Allerton Park and Retreat Center (Mary)

June 21st – TBD (Charlie)

June 28th – Annual Awards and Pass the Gavel Ceremony

July 5th – Mary and Darrell will discuss the Rotary International Convention

July 12th – TBD (Mary)

July 19th – TBD (Phyllis)

July 26th – Dr. Darren Pascavage, Founding Head of School, Academy High (Tom)

August 2nd – TBD (Bob)

August 9th – District Governor Pennie’s visit

August 16th – TBD (Charlie)

August 23rd – TBD (Mary)

August 30th – No regular meeting

September 6th – TBD (David)

September 13th – TBD (Phyllis)

September 20th – TBD (Tom)

September 27th – TBD (Bob)

October 4th – TBD (Charlie)