June 5th – Corban University President, Dr. John Marks Yeats
Dr. John Mark Yeats serves as the 11 th President of Corban University. He holds a Ph.D. in Church History from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and degrees from Southern Seminary, Oxford University and Criswell College. He has authored four books, and he has worked in Christian higher education for nearly two decades coming to Corban from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College.
Dr. Yeats comes to share what brought him to Corban, current events at Corban, trends in Christian and small private educational institutions, and future plans and vision for Corban’s future.
Program Chair: Renee Campbell
Meeting Location: Willamette Heritage Center – Dye House
Service Above – And Beyond – Self
“Above and beyond” is a phrase that comes to mind when we think about someone who has put in extraordinary effort for the betterment of others. It is a phrase that fits well with our guest speaker last week, Col. Gibson, and all those who serve in the Oregon National Guard as well as all the other branches of our military. People who deliberately cast aside the comfort of a civilian life in order to ensure the safety and security of others regularly face intense physical, mental and emotional demands. Of course there is an easier path available, but that’s not the one they choose. Thank you to all of you who made it a priority to be part of last week’s lunch – you helped Col. Gibson feel very welcome!
On 15th Street just one block away from the White House there are a number of bronze plaques memorializing a wide variety of citizen leaders who also went above and beyond in order to make lives better for others. I love seeing this great image of Paul Harris looking up from the sidewalk! You don’t have to look too long to see the determination in his expression. Determination, and a bit of a challenge, as if to say, “What about YOU?” From my reading about Paul this year, I learned that although Rotary was his brainchild, things weren’t always peaches and cream. Paul and many others struggled with overcommitting and the exhaustion that inevitably follows.
And yet here we are as Rotary, 119 years later, still persisting! Thank YOU for going above – and beyond – what is comfortable or easy in order to be a dynamic Rotarian. You matter and your persistence makes the lives of others better!
I’m sorry to miss the program this week but I know you will all make our guest speaker, Corban President Dr. John Mark Yeats, feel very welcome. Many thanks to our Program Chair Renee Campbell and to Past President Chane Griggs for standing in for me!
Yours in Rotary Service,
Kindly,
