President Don opened the meeting as is his custom with great humor, but noted that the membership was asleep. This was further underscored during Bill Furr's Health and Happiness report. However, proving that the midday siesta bug was contagious, President Don joined in the club's general state of somnolence by almost missing several parts of the program. Fortunately, our guest speaker saved the day.
     E. K. Fretwell energized the club as he introduced Laura Bingham, President of Peace College for the past two and a half years. Prior to taking over as head of this 150-year-old private four-year women's college near downtown Raleigh, Laura had a career in state government, medical administration, philanthropy, and higher education. She is the first alumna to serve as the President of Peace College, as well as the second female. She is a native of Kings Mountain.
     Laura acknowledged five Peace College trustees who were present, including club members Doug Booth, Worth Williamson, and E. K. Fretwell, as well as Lib Harkey and Jean Wilkinson, both of whom are graduates of Peace. She also noted that Worth Williamson's mother was a graduate and Doug Booth's mother was a former member of the faculty.
     The mission of Peace College is the development of women for personal fulfillment and the civic good. Laura noted several early graduates who achieved great successes in the late 1800's and early 1900's by serving as the first female in the North Carolina State Senate, the first female judge in North Carolina, the first female trustee at Peace College and the first recipient of a graduate degree from North Carolina State University.
     Peace is currently going through a renaissance as it has become a four-year institution, has had three years of record enrollment meeting its ten-year goal in just three, and has completed the development of new physical facilities. It is a small institution with a faculty who personally knows each student. Those students who have been surveyed rank Peace College at the very top in numerous areas of student satisfaction. During the freshman year, students are required to take chapel and public speaking. Additional considerations for future first-year students include global studies and community service. Peace also hopes to offer classes in the future in public policy and teacher education to meet the teacher shortage in public schools in North Carolina.
     The focus at Peace is on personal responsibility, moral integrity and social justice. Laura noted that women's college graduates are disproportionately successful in their lives and careers. She believes it is extremely important for the faculty to let the students know that society is counting on them in the future and that they are destined to lead. She feels it is incredibly important that adults must lead, teach, and live by example for the sake of the students.
     Laura talked about her love of giraffes, which are noted for being swift, graceful, always holding their heads high, and taking the long view. She also noted they are very social animals, require little sleep, are pacifist, sentimental, politically correct, and care greatly about others. She wants the Peace students to be like giraffes, noting the qualities above, their willingness to stick their necks out and take the long view. She closed by saying "May peace be with each of us and may the women of Peace be among us."
     Doug Booth introduced guests and visiting Rotarians. Bill Furr noted that Chuck Lineberry was still in recuperation from throat cancer and would like to receive notes or letters from club members. He also noted the 94th birthday of Powell Majors and his many accomplishments. We were also asked to remember Jerry Grohowski in our thoughts and prayers.
     The head table consisted of Lou Solomon, Richard Rankin, Worth Williamson, Doug Booth, E. K. Fretwell, and Tony Zeiss, who gave the invocation.
     Those who are interested may bring excess winter clothing for the benefit of Crisis Assistance Ministries to our December 19 meeting. The Nominating Committee will be pleased to receive nominations for the Board of Directors. There will be a new member information meeting on December 19 after the regular meeting and there will be no meeting on December 26.
     President Don closed the meeting at approximately 1:25 p.m.

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New Member

MARTIN D. WELTON

Real Estate, Commercial
Additional Active

Southern Real Estate
2550 Bank of America Plaza (28280)
704-373-1000
FAX 704-375-2384
email: mwelton @ srenc.com

     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Martin.

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