Ecologist Jeb Barzen shared the remarkable recovery of bald eagles in Wisconsin. In 1973, there were only 108 nesting birds, but following the elimination of DDT, this number increased to 1,684 by 2019. Research shows that eagles are dynamic birds, moving based on food availability. More ice on rivers results in fewer nesting eagles in that particular area during winter. Considering various needs and perspectives is key to achieving win-win outcomes in ecological issues. To reach solutions, Barzen emphasized the importance of a common vision, iterative collaboration to build trust, and approaching outcomes with an open mind.
At the January 22 meeting, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman emphasized the need for more public funding for our public universities, noting Wisconsin ranks 43rd in the U.S. for such support. The universities will request $855 million in the next biennial budget, which would avoid tuition hikes and allow them to maintain high-quality, world class education standards. Rothman highlighted that our public universities offer a 23:1 return on investment and urged Rotary members to advocate for this funding to their legislators.
From a young age, Judge Derek Mosley was encouraged to learn and share the untold stories of Blacks in History. Did you know that Eston H. Jefferson, son of Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemmings, lived and is buried here in Madison? Have you ever heard of the Black female Battalion the Six Triple Eights, who worked to get mail to U.S. soldiers during World War II? How about the “White Lion,” which was the boat that began the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade? Judge Mosley encourages all of us to learn and share these (and many more) important stories, which are central to our history as Americans.
On January 8, John Koskinen from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue spoke on the 2025 Wisconsin economic outlook. John shared that overall, Wisconsin is in a very good (or “pretty good” if you want to be Midwest nice) economic position. Our Real GDP is going up, and our unemployment rate continues to go down (3.4% to 2.9% y/o/y). We continue to have in-migration from other states and our births outpace our deaths. Our cost of living is about 8% less than the U.S. average and poverty rate is 7th lowest in the nation. Overall, the future is bright, much in part due to the strong, hardworking middle class.
Rebecca Redmann is the Teaching Artist Coordinator for the Lullaby Project at the Overture Center for the Arts. She explained the process and demonstrated a few musical creations that were the result of musicians and songwriters collaborating with new and expectant parents to create a unique and expressive lullaby for their children. It starts with a letter from the parent to the child (to be read later by the child as an adult) expressing the parent’s hopes and dreams for the future. Teaching artists who are singer-songwriters then take the sentiments expressed and words used to create a personal lullaby for the child. The resulting lullaby is a musical keepsake that is uniquely compelling, special, and timeless in strengthening the parent-child bond.
Scott Strong pictured here with DEI Committee Co-chairs Sara Eskrich (left) and Rebekah Pare (right)
In 2015, our Club was the first large Rotary club to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Our strategic plan states that we will achieve diversity, equity and inclusion through recruitment, education, member engagement and community service. It’s an overarching theme that guides all we do as a club for our members and for our community.
Last year, we created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award to recognize a member whose commitment helps in advancing these guiding principles.
Juan Jose Lopez, who passed away in 2023, would have been a valid candidate for this award. During his 26 years of membership, he served on our club’s board of directors, on our foundation board of trustees, and he chaired our scholarship committee. Juan was a strong advocate for promoting inclusivity and creating change in our community. As we recognize a member with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, this year we will add Juan Jose Lopez’s name to the title.
This year’s recipient is Scott Strong. Scott is executive director of RISE Wisconsin, and he joined our Rotary Club in 2008.
Scott has been a member of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for 8 years and has co-chaired it for 2 years. He has led DEI sessions at the Rotary Tri-Con events. Scott has also served on our club board of directors, as Sgt-at-Arms and is a long-time member and past chair of our Youth Awards Committee.
For Scott’s leadership efforts in advancing the principles of our club’s commitment to our DEI goals, we are presenting him with our 2024 Rotary Club of Madison Juan Jose Lopez Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. Thank you, Scott, for continuing to help us advance the successes of our committee’s work.
Congratulations, Scott, on this well-deserved award!
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 