People Clips

Tiffin Rotary Club President Mimi Johnston opened the May 20 meeting at the Chandelier Event Center. Rev. Phil Moerdyk gave the invocation. Guests today included Josh Stanek with Anne Lange DeVine and Maddie Fulk was with Amber Clason. Visiting Rotarian Joe Weaver was present with his wife, Nancy. Attendance today was 18. The Basket Fund raised $20. Our program today was presented by Miquette McMahon, founder of Teach Haiti. The organization was created to address the lack of accessible education in Haiti. The organization began by providing scholarships and has since expanded to operate two campuses, offering not only academic instruction but also enrichment programs such as music and computer skills. The holistic approach is designed to inspire students and break the cycle of poverty, providing a safe and nurturing environment where children can thrive despite difficult home circumstances. A hands-on agricultural program where students at Teach Haiti grow, harvest and consume their food, learning about agriculture and self-sustainability. Started by a former student, Nordham Shaw. Funded by a $19,000 grant with Rotary support. The garden also serves as a practical tool for teaching geometry and science. The school garden serves as both a food source and an educational tool. Students are responsible for all aspects of the garden, from preparing soil to harvesting crops. This practical experience teaches them about agriculture, nutrition, and the importance of self-reliance, especially in a country that imports most of its food. The garden also provides hands-on learning for geometry, as plants are arranged in geometric shapes to help students grasp mathematical concepts. For more information, go to: www.teachhaiti.org. Kiwanis Club of Tiffin Dr. Rob Huntington and Ashley Helmstetter from Heidelberg University were the featured speakers for the May 29 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Tiffin. Rob has served the 'Berg as the university president since 2009, when he became the Student Prince's 14th president. Ashley is the Vice President of Advancement, Alumni, and Community Relations. Rob said that education is crucial to prosperity in our country. Due to the many problems that Covid-19 presented five years ago, the decision was made to freeze tuition and add a tuition guarantee. Heidelberg guarantees tuition will remain the same for four years, locking in the cost. So, tuition paid in the first year will be the same in the fourth year. Eligible students who complete a bachelor's degree within four years with a GPA of 3.0 or better can earn an MBA tuition-free. This allows a student to complete their MBA in one year. Ashley described Heidelberg University as an "opportunity maker" and said that "we believe in people." Every student is required to take on an internship. She said that Heidelberg wants to get its message out further and urged everyone to check out the university online. Rob said that Heidelberg's enrollment dropped during the time of Covid-19, but has reversed that trend and continued to see a rise in enrollment over the last three years. He also spoke about credit transfers and building up the school's online programs. Ashley said that Heidelberg is currently celebrating its 175th anniversary and will do so until its actual birthday on November 11. Some of the activities have included switching Rob's president position with a student for a day and creating a time capsule that won't be opened until the year 2050. Alumni weekend will be celebrated June 13 – 15. She said that some graduates come by every year for the alumni weekend. Work continues on the 11,000 square foot fieldhouse. The building will be dedicated on October 3 and will transform the student experience. Rob spoke about partnerships, including Heidelberg's partnership with the Tiffin Community Kitchen through Parkhurst Dining. He said that when Heidelberg was founded in 1850, very few colleges allowed women as students. Heidelberg did. Ashley invited all to visit the Heidelberg campus, be it for a sporting event, a theater performance, or just to visit. She also invited any business that is looking for an intern to contact her. Club president Melissa Mullins opened the meeting by leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Kiwanis Mission Statement. Eric Willman provided the prayer. Twenty-one were in attendance, including two Aktion Club members – Israel Lopez and Nathan Forwalder – who were guests of Amy Miller. Melissa mentioned that the Little Free Library was open for business. She thanked Pat Nee for helping to waterproof it. Sign-up sheets were passed for the June 14 Family Fest, the August 24 Grade A Celebration, and June prayer providers. The regular meeting was closed out and the annual meeting rang in. The slate of officers for the 2025-2026 Kiwanis year was approved as follows: Immediate Past President – Melissa Mullins; President – Pam Greene; President-elect – TBD; Co-secretaries – Beth McFarlan-Hutson & Melissa Mullins; Treasurer – Leslie Reinhart; board members: Pat Nee, Mark Zeno, Bernie Steinmetz, Rich Traunero, Amy Miller and Mary Traxler. The annual meeting was then closed and the regular meeting reopened. Melissa discussed and asked for suggestions for increasing revenue or decreasing expenses and emphasized the need, once again, for someone to step up and agree to serve as President-Elect for the next Kiwanis year. Eric Willman celebrated his birthday. Kurt Huenemann won the 50/50. The first meeting in June will feature the presentation of one of two Ralph Hyatt Awards.