Our District is lucky enough to be sending not just one but two scholars overseas to study in Great Britian and Greece. These scholars are both the recipients of a $30,000 scholarship from the Rotary Foundation. Thanks goes to a very dedicated scholarship committee led by Laura Davis and supported by Dave Emerick, Gary Rowe, Laura Kann, Marcella O'Brien, David Smith, Dave Hodge, Julie Gelaude, John Hurley, Sue Rector, Craig Devrieze, and Kathy Kwiat-Hess.
Let me introduce you to them. Both award winners met the stringent requirements of high academic achievement, a demonstrated commitment to enlist their graduate education to meet the Rotary mission of “Service Above Self,” and a capacity and interest in serving as global ambassadors for Rotary International.
Mohammad Salem graduated from Rockford Auburn High School in Rockford and then went on to attend Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. He applied for our scholarship to pursue a Master of Science in Health System Evaluation and Improvement at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. This program will equip him with the skills to analyze health system challenges and develop evidence-based solutions to improve healthcare delivery. He hopes to someday work at the World Health Organization.
Kirsten "Kiki" Fisher is a graduate of Hononegah Community High School in Rockton and then went on to attend Bradley University. She applied for our scholarship to pursue a Master of Science in Forensic Medicine, Anthropology and Imaging with a specialty in Forensic Anthropology from the University of Crete Medical School in Heraklion, Greece. This program will equip Kiki with the expertise to contribute to the identification of conflict victims and the pursuit of justice in post-conflict regions. Kiki will pursue a medical degree once her year abroad is complete.
Thanks to Craig Devrieze and Laura Davis on September 18th at noon a press conference was held to introduce both candidates at Veterans Memorial Hall in Rockford. District Governor Melissa McCormick provided some introductory comments and then both candidates were introduced by Laura Davis.