Meeting Highlights: Today's Thought: A.J.: “I think technology increased human ability, but technology cannot produce compassion” -Dalai Lama
Announced Guests: Liz Frost or speaker.
Announced: Stan Steiner inducted Jim Huffman into Sunup! Welcome Jim! Jim thanked Harry O for bringing him in to the club. Noted that he is from the Midwest (Michigan and Minnesota) and after earning his PhD in Physics relocated to California, later to Tempe AZ where he developed infrared detectors use in telescopic photography and then retired and came to Prescott. He has 3 sons, 2 daughters.
Sgt. At Arms: Greg Raskin: No one buttered him up this AM and no one reminded him to leave his badge last time so all paid a Buck; fined Todd for the fortune cookies; Tony Shaw for his new head of hair; hit Glen & Eric for suspected price fixing upon arrival; A.J. paid a buck for pic in Prescott Living. Lots of Happy Bucks! One notable: Phil noted that he finally got the City Council to agree with him! He read a road contract and questioned some charges. Saved us some dough! Terri Smith won the 50/50 pot.
Speaker: A.J. introduced Liz Frost Ed.D, Associate Dean of Students & Title IX Coordinator. He noted that he had worked with Liz at ERAU awhile back and they are good friends. Liz talked about ERAU students today but began with a focus on ERAU, a brief history: began in Ohio, later moved to Miami and finally to Daytona Beach where the main campus is today. In 1978 opened Prescott Campus (formerly belonged to Prescott College) with 268 students. ERAU has 4 colleges: College of Arts and Sciences; College of Aviation; College of Engineering; and College of Security and Intelligence. Aviation has been shrinking but with expected wave of pilot retirements may grow again. Engineering has been the growth area. ERAU partners with related industries to evaluate their curriculum to build towards what is needed in these industries. New majors/areas of study have been added: a new training program in Unmanned Aviation Systems (Drones). Also programs in Forensics and Wildfire Science; Computer security and a new “Hacker” Lab for hands on training. In 2018 the total expense (minus flight training costs) was $53,000. 2018 enrollment was 2776 and in 2019 anticipate going over 3,000. They are growing approx. 10%/yr. IN 2018 they had international students from 42 countries. Depending on their country, some are limited in available majors or courses. In 2018 they had 708 new students. They expect 930 new students in 2019. In 2018 there were 528 M and 187 F in the new class. About 5.6% are veterans, 4.9% are veterans dependents and 2% reserves. In 2019 awarded 302 degrees. The University retention rate of 80% is above the national average of 68% The rate is higher among women than men. A major challenge for colleges today including ERAU is they are seeing more students with psychological and mental health challenges. More students who are medicated, more who have been previously hospitalized for these issues. There is a need to develop more support for these students as Prescott is not well equipped to provide needed services and providers do not accept insurances so it is expensive for students to get help. ERAU has an on going initiative to promote better mental health among students here. They have added counselors and made them all full time for more accessibility.
President's Message
Jerry Fohrman
Good Morning Sunupians,
I would like to welcome our newest member Jim Huffman. We are looking forward to working with you, and taking advantage of your many unique talents. Please don't forget to bring your checks for the Rotary vocational fund to our next meeting.
It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter)
Help Spread Sunshine: When you know of a member's loss or hospitalization, please alert Par Wood at (928) 777-0500, ext. 207 of the Sunup Sunshine Committee, or email her at parnisi@msn.com.