P2B (President to Be) MARGARET HIGGINS called the meeting to order at precisely 12:15, after we’d enjoyed yet another delicious buffet lunch at the TCC. Did you notice her Very Cool turquoise glasses?
New member KEITH CONDON led us in the pledge and song, “You’re a Grand Ole Flag” melodically backed up by Music Master KHRIS DODGE.
Our Man of Many Words, MITCH PISIK, was quite inspirational, describing Rotarians as Vessels of Graciousness!
On a very sad note, MARGARET led us in a Moment of Silence in honor and memory of long-time member and friend, MIKE DEVRIES, who passed away on Sunday, May 21. He will be missed. No services are planned.
Darleen Lennan, lovely wife of our own PAT LENNAN, had a nasty fall and broke her hip. Please reach out and support them.
KHRIS introduced some of our many guests and MARGARET thanked MARCY EULER and the Pima College Foundation for sponsoring this meeting and bringing about 30 guests from Pima (administrators, students, athletes) for us to meet and break bread with.
MARCY announced the sad news (for us) that Chancellor LEE LAMBERT has accepted a new job and will soon be the Chancellor for Foothill-DeAnza Community College district in Los Altos, CA. Thank you, LEE, for your visionary leadership – Pima College is better from your service, as is Tucson. The entire club would like to thank LEE, MARCY and Pima Foundation for sponsoring our meeting today.
MARCY then introduced our headliner, Jim Monaco, Pima College Director of Athletics, who was joined by his lovely wife, Danielle. Jim told us about all of the programs at Pima, which include 13 sports and a budget equal to the $120M enjoyed by the U of A (minus, he said, “about $118 Million”!) One of his goals was to create a family atmosphere, and he has succeeded in that. Another goal was for his athletes to have an aggregate GPA of 2.75. Last year, more than 300 athletes achieved a GPA of 3.06, and this year it is 3.14. Way to go! His list of the championships and awards won by Pima teams was so extensive that I couldn’t keep up with him. Suffice it to say that our Community College student athletes are champions on the field, in classrooms and in life. As Coach Monaco aptly stated, “we are not a stepping stone – we are a launch pad”.
JEANNIE ZETAH gave us a car show update – ticket packets are available, so pick up yours and start selling!
We wished a very happy birthday to Dr. JAN GREEN, who donated a Paul Harris in memory of his delightful wife, the late Wendy Green. Her brother was a long-time Rotarian in Ireland and Scotland.
BOBBY, BOBBY, BOBBY (LARSON, of course!) introduced our newest member, KEITH CONDON, a former Border Patrol agent who is now in the Assisted Living industry. Welcome, KEITH, KEITH, KEITH!
Jim Monaco was brought back into service by KHRIS DODGE, who had him pick the winning raffle ticket. GARY OLSEN won $30, and the King of Clubs is still hiding in the deck.
MARGARET reminded us of the Change of Administration event at the Omni Resort on June 24. Save the Date.
ALAN ROGERS described the replacement mixer on 5/31 at the Arizona Sands Club; park (for free) in the mirror lab lot.
MARGARET thanked everyone for their enthusiasm and attendance, reminded us that there is no lunch meeting next week (sign up for the mixer) and toasted the excellence of Pima College and the athletic department. And, she adjourned the meeting early!
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The Club will hold a Replacement/Social Mixer on 
The Change of Administration Event, when President Bruce passes the Gavel to incoming President Margaret Higgins, will take place on Saturday, June 24th at the Omni Hotels & Resorts, 2727 West Club Drive, Tucson, AZ 85742. Since this is not a Replacement Mixer, the Member and Guest fee is $75 which will be billed to your account. Look for more details soon but for now, mark those calendars for this wonderful evening with your fellow Rotarians!
