Rotagram - Meeting Notes and Club News

Volume 82 Issue 6

Wed, Aug 10, 2022

Rota-Scribe: Gerardo Chagolla

Fullerton Rotary Club – Dean of CSUF College of Business and Economics
Sridhar Sundaram

Meeting was called to order by club President Joe Lins. He welcomed back Rashawn Underdue, “we missed you. You were pretty sick. It’s good to see you again, Rashawn.” Welcome back Rashawn! As always, he thanked Monica, Leslie, and Carol for helping set up for today’s meeting. Travis McShane and Bud Lang saved the day during last week’s meeting so President Lins gave them a special shout out, “they were able to pull up that video during Rebecka’s Craft Talk, so thanks to both of them.” Update on the Community Investment Awards, “27 of us have donated $11,875!” Way to go team. He plugged the Retro Jog-a-thon T-Shirts that were being sold for $5 at the door and all proceeds go to Jog-A-Thon annual fundraiser. “On This Date,” in 1881, Missouri became the 24th state. In 1962, Amazing Spider-Man debuted in Marvel Comics issue 15, priced at 12 cents. “Last night, the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland A’s 5-1. The NFL kicked-off its season with their annual Hall of Fame Game. The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-11. “In the World Golf Rankings, local Servite and UCLA alumni Patrick Cantlay is currently holding the number 4 spot.”

For our commencement ceremonies, Bob Sattler led us in prayer, “take a deep breath and thank god.” For our Patriotic Moment, Bill Hite led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Today’s guest were introduced by President Joe Lins. Soo Yoo, who is running for California State Assembly District 67, Sue Kim, and Jenny Park, all guests of Scott Dowds. Barbara Kulpeoen, was in attendance, guest of John Phelps. And potential member and returning guest, Adit Nathan was front and center at today’s meeting.

Our Rotary Minute was given to us by the amazing Leslie McCarthy. She’s been a member since 2001. She joined because she lost an aunt to polio, “it’s a decease that should not exist.” She loves the community service that Rotary does, “it’s fun to serve this community with my comrades.” We are happy to have Leslie McCarthy as a fellow Rotarian and part of this wonderful group of people. President Lins introduced our Songmaster, Bud “Woody” Lang, who celebrated the Dow Jones closing at 400 points, a sign that inflation may have reached it’s peak Woody asked us to stand for, “America The Beautiful,” a song made popular by Ray Charles. The room lit with energy when everyone in attendance sang along with Bud. What a great choice to celebrate the mid-week. Thanks Bud!

Today’s announcements were kicked off by President Lins who asked for anyone interested in handing out Rotary information at Ralphs this Saturday to come see him after the meeting. Robert Jahncke announced that he was updating and checking the accuracy of the member roster online. He passed around roster pages for everyone to fill out and make corrections for him.

Matt Howells announced Tara’s Chance Organization “Riding With The Stars,” Annual Dinner and Rider Showcase. Tara’s Chance is a non-profit dedicated to providing developmental therapeutic and recreational programs for disabled and disadvantaged at risk children through the use of horses. Showcase takes place on October 1, 2022 and tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit, Taraschance.givesmart.com. Andrew Gregson announced and presented President Joe Lins an award from the North Orange County Chamber, “In 1986, Mr. Joe Lins was starting a business, and I was wondering how I can get into the Police Service. We want to award you a recognition from the Chamber.” Congratulations to President Joe Lins and Century 21 Discovery for all of their success! Our Recognition Master and Finemaster was our immediate past President, The World Famous, Zoot Velasco. He began with a covid protocol reminder, “let’s keep our hands off the mic as we bring it around. Let Bud hold it.” First person to be recognized was Jim Williams. He was recognized for his wedding anniversary and Rotary anniversary, “Jim Williams has 2 auspicious occasions. Can you tell us when your wedding anniversary is?” “It’s very important that I always get that right, it’s Sunday. I’ve been married for 51 years,” said Jim. Zoot said that since it falls on a Sunday, his anniversary is worth sainthood and proceeded to fine him $5 toward the Sally Sainthood Fund. He then asked Marty Burbank to stand and be recognized for him joining Rotary around the same time. In a hilarious turn of events, Leslie agreed to pay Marty’s fine, which made the whole club laugh and applaud her. President elect Jim Ripley was asked if he knew what was approaching for him, “Anniversary, I think.” Zoot comically responds, “you better know! Where are you taking her?” “I am taking her to her favorite French café in Paris. MIMI’s Cafe near the Plaza de la Bastille.” Sounds like a romantic anniversary Jim Ripley. “Johny Hong is not here today. I can’t make him “F” himself.” Bob and Susan Ouweleen have a wedding anniversary on August, 22. Congratulations to them both! He wants to fine them but was advised not to. Bob Sattler was recognized, complimented, and fined at the same time. He turns 68 years old on August 23, “I’m very upset and jealous. You always look like the man everyone wants to be, like James Bond. That’s going to cost you a fine of $5.” He made paying fines look very cool. Minard Duncan was recognized for his upcoming 90th birthday. “Well done. You are a legend in this town for all the wonderful things you’ve done in education. I will put $1 in the fine net and everyone that Minard has touched put $1 in the net.” President Joe was asked to stand and be recognized and fined, “who helped you in the transition of power?” He was not prepared for what was about to happen, “well you did and so did everyone in this room.” His honest answer gave us the comedy that we needed for the day, “well, put a dollar in the net for everyone who helped you.” Lastly, Bud Lang was recognized for his awesome job as Songmaster. Zoot asked everyone that has been a Songmaster to please stand to be recognized as well and to put a dollar in the fine net if you appreciate Bud and the work he does as Songmaster. Zoot did an awesome job as Recognition Master and Finemaster.

Our program at hand, Dean of Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics, Sridhar Sundaram. Introduced by The World Famous Zoot Velasco, “Dean Sridhar Sundaram has been in higher education for 32 years. He is an avid tennis player. But, don’t hold it against him that he was most recently a Florida man, most recently at the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance and campus Dean for the Muma College of Business, both at the University of South Florida. Please help me welcome him to Fullerton Rotary Club.” Dean Sundaram took the stage, “thanks for your kind words Zoot, I appreciate it. It’s been a pleasure to meet everyone in the community.” Dean Sundaram made his move to California during the Covid-19 pandemic, “at this stage in my career, it is about impact. What inspired me to make the decision to come here to CSFU were the diverse students. Looking at the diversity of students, we take great pride at the opportunity we have to change their lives.” He is extremely impressed with the faculty he already has at CSFU and has had the pleasure of bringing in 10 new faculty members to the college. “We have 150 full time faculty and about 80 staff members to support us. The people that make the most difference is the faculty. I am absolutely blown away with the quality of faculty we have.” He remembers asking students why they choose CSFU College of Business and Economics, their answers were simple, the faculty and staff members. “With 150 faculty that serve over 9000 students. We are committed to the community that we serve.” He mentions that the college has 50% women students, which is a great in today’s standards. He took the time to take questions from members. “How do you work with leadership that can present problems? What is your vision for the college?” “Its dual. We want to empower our students with knowledge and have them grow as individuals to be leaders. My vision for the college revolves around 3 pillars. First, innovative programs. How do we become competitive unless we build an innovative program? The answer is we become partners with a growing business. Second, impactful research/applied research. And last, intentional engagement in the business community. Understand what the community needs. We want to make it the best business school in California.” Dean Sundaram took more questions from members and a couple of brags from alumni. Immediate past president Zoot Velasco, a professor of Business and Marketing at CSFU, expressed his desire to add some elements from Rotary in to the courses. Dean Sundaram thanked everyone in attendance as he looks forward to connecting with everyone soon. President Lins thanked him for his time and presented him with the highly coveted Speakers Gift Award, a glass rhinoceros. He asked a quick trivia question, “Titan is the mascot of CSFU, but what is his name?” Rick Crane answers correctly, Tuffy The Titan. He blessed us with a quick dad joke, “scientist have just discovered a fossilized dinosaur fart. Yeah, it was a blast from the past.” Touché President Joe Lins. Jim Williams announced that Bill Peloquin is doing much better and is at home resting. Allan Bridgford has recovered from an event and is doing much better, as well. Thanks for the updates Jim. President Lins wants to remind everyone to clear their calendars on October 14 for the District 5320 Foundation Dinner being held at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. Also, don’t forget Fullerton Rotary Clubs 100th Anniversary being held at the Summit House on October 26, so Save The Date.

Last thing on the agenda was the 50/50 drawing worth $30 and today there was another drawing were the winners receive two Retro Jog-A-Thon T-Shirts. Lucky ticket holder 6369025 won $30, Bob Muschek. Congratulations Bob! Ticket holders 6369023 and 6369029 won Jog-A-Thon T-Shirts, Gerardo and Leslie. Congratulations! “Thanks to everyone. Charge On! Meeting is adjourned.”

(Published using 100% recycled electrons)

This Edition was published in Fullerton, Ca