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Honoring the young life of Stephen Ginn More than $10,500 donated in his memory through the GRSP Endowment Fund In an unprecedented act of generosity, family and friends of the Ginn Family contributed more than $10,500 to the GRSP Endowment Fund in memory of 10-year-old Stephen Ginn, who tragically lost his life in a farming accident. Two Fellows were presented to Frank Ginn, Stephen's father, at the Dec. 8 meeting of the Rotary Club of Franklin County. Ronnie Waller, Chair Emeritus, presented the Ronnie Waller Fellow and Dennis Still, Chair Emeritus, presented the Kendall Weisiger Fellow. This is the largest amount ever given in memory of an individual through the GRSP Endowment Fund. District Governor Burr, former GRSP student Simone Hjorth, Ginn family members and friends, and several GRSP officers and trustees were present to participate in this special recognition. (posted 12.15.09)

42 new Will Watt Fellows in Savannah! The Rotary Club of Savannah inducted 42 Will Watt Fellows at its meeting at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto Nov. 23. Rotarians who donate at least $1,000 to the endowment are made Will Watt Fellows. James "Jim" Drake Jr., the 2009 Rotarian of the Year and chairman of the GRSP Endowment, thanked the Rotary Club for the drive and congratulated the Fellows. Photo by Amanda Baran of Savannahnow.com. View more photos of this event. The Fellows are:
-- Johnathon Barrett, Junior Achievement -- Ellen Bolch, THA Group -- Daniel Bradley, Bradley Plywood -- Stephen Braswell, Braswell-Nees Group LLC -- Randy Bugos, YMCA of Coastal Georgia -- John Coleman, Bonitz of Georgia -- Tom Coleman, Bonitz of Georgia -- Trey Cook, Savannah Tire -- Barry Crawford, retired -- Dale Critz Jr., Critz Inc. -- Helen Downing, Ridgeway LLC -- Neal Estes, Doyle Chemical -- George Fawcett, retired -- Jackie Ford, Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia	-- Will Garrett, Neurology Specialists of Savannah -- Nina Gompels, NTG Enterprises - McDonald's Corp. -- Melvin Haysman, Savannah Allergy Associates PC -- Marcie Hill, City Market Partners Limited Partnership -- James Holland, James W. Holland Jr. DMD -- Sandy Hollander, 45 Bistro -- Bucky Johnson, YMCA of Coastal Georgia -- Donald Laidlaw, retired -- Aaron Levy, retired: Levy Jewelers -- B.H. Levy, Bouhan Williams & Levy LLP -- Phyllis Livingood, Livingood's Appliance -- Lorton Livingston, retired -- Patricia Lyons, Senior Citizens Inc. -- Rod McLeod, ESPY Lumber Company Inc.	-- James C. Metts, James C. Metts Jr. MD -- Henry Minis, Red Heads LLC -- Rick Monroe, Monroe Marketing -- Sidney Nutting, retired -- Tom Roberts, J.T. Roberts Associates -- Patricia Saseen, retired: Coastal Georgia Center -- Mark V. Smith, South Atlantic Utilities -- Cathy Solomons -- Steve Stephens, Stage Front Presentation Systems -- John Stevens, retired -- Roland Summers, R.S. Summers MD LLC -- Joe Usher, Hancock Askew & Co. CPA LLP -- Bill Verner, Cooperative Installations -- Don L. Waters, Brasseler USA (posted 11.24.09)

Dr. Mikael Sandstrom now state secretary As a GRSP student in 1986-87, Dr. Mikael Sandstrom studied political science and history at Shorter College. He was sponsored by the Rome Rotary Club. Today, Dr. Sandstrom is state secretary in the Moderate Party's Coordination Secretariat at the Prime Minister's Office in Sweden. He is also sherpa to the G20 representing the EU Presidency. Learn more... (posted 10.21.09) Photo by Pawel Flato

Georgia students, would you like to study in Norway? *Application deadline January 4, 2010* The Norwegian Rotary Advisory Board is once again inviting three Georgia students to study in Norway from June 26 through August 6, 2010 at the University of Oslo. English is the official language of the summer school. While the immediate goal of this International School is to impart knowledge about some aspects of Norway, it also seeks to increase understanding and good will among nations through daily living together. The program includes air fares Atlanta-Oslo and return to Atlanta, a field tour to Bergen (administered by the University of Oslo), room, board and tuition at the International Summer School at the University of Oslo and visiting for one week with Norwegian Rotary host families. The recipients of the scholarships must pay their travel expense to and from Atlanta, plus provide their own personal spending money. Learn more... (posted 10.15.09)

Hans Kjolseth and Representative David Scott My name is Hans Kjolseth. I was a GRSP member of the class of 2002/03. My sister, Tora Marie, is a GRSP-student this year. I am now working as a press secretary for the Norwegian Centre Party in Parliament. As a part of my job in Parliament with the Centre Party, I sometimes get invitations from the U.S. embassy to different events. In May, I was invited onboard the U.S.S. Porter, a fully-flexed military ship active in operations off the coast of Somalia. The ship passed by Oslo during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly held in May. During that event several U.S. Congressmen were visiting our capital. Reminding the staff at the U.S. embassy of my time with Rotary in Georgia, I said half-jokingly to my American friends, "Where is my Congressman from Georgia?" Thus, the embassy staff introduced me to Mr. David Scott, representing Georgia’s 13th electoral district, who was a part of the U.S. delegation of visiting congressmen. It was a funny and neat coincidence that I wanted to share with y'all. Interestingly, Mr. Scott was already familiar with the Georgia Rotary Program, which really tells you something of the reputation the program has. Since leaving Georgia, I have finished my studies with a masters degree in International Relations. Apart from having worked as a journalist for various newspapers and as a research assistant at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, I had the great privilege of representing my country at the Norwegian Embassy in Chile. The year as a GRSP-student, however, still counts as the best year of my life. I have visited fellow GRSP-friends in distant places and the experiences made in Georgia are frequent references in my daily life, professionally as well as personally. All the best, Hans (posted 10.05.09)

We're on YouTube! Thanks to the Dunwoody and Atlanta Rotary Clubs, the Georgia Rotary Student Program is now featured on the increasingly popular YouTube! Each year, Dunwoody Rotarians host a weekend for the current GRSP class focused on building future leaders. With the theme of "One Person, One Group Making a Difference," the conference was co-sponsored by Oglethorpe University's Halle Foundation and held on the campus during the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. The keynote speaker was Elizabeth Kiss, president of Agnes Scott College. Other notable speakers included A.B. Short, executive director, MedShare International, and Susan Scott, author of "Fierce Conversations." To view the six minute, 45 second video summary of the weekend, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O__nBUZC4mg. (posted 09.19.09)

View Giovanna Rosa Perin's YouTube video! Hello...my name is Giovanna Rosa Perin. I was a GRSP student 2008-09 from Brazil. I'm back home right now, but I would like to share a video that I made about my GRSP year with you all. GRSP changed my life and gave me such good friends and another family that I will take with me forever in my life. Thanks for making my life unbelievably wonderful! Please view my YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7bh6fakqvs. (posted 09.15.09)

Student Spotlight Anne-Kathrin Witt, Germany, GRSP Class of 2006-07 The past years were filled with so many new adventures that looking back time seems to have been flying by. One of the most outstanding highlights was definitely the college experience in the U.S. With the Rotarian scholarship as a stepping stone, it was possible for me to enjoy one of the finest educations at Wesleyan College in Macon, GA. I graduated in 2007 with a double major in Chemistry and Economics and a double minor in Business Administration and Finance, summa cum laude. In my senior year, I was named a National Mortar Board Fellowship Recipient and received the Student Trust Fellowship for my graduate education. I was initiated into Mortar Board in 2006, and served as chapter president at Wesleyan. For my graduate education, I chose to return to Germany and attend the International Max Planck Research Institute for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences (Ludwig Maximilians University) in Munich. The Max Planck Society is one of the top research institutes in the world and offered me the opportunity to work right from the start at cutting edge research projects. I completed my Master of Science Degree in Biochemistry in 2008. Since January 2009, I am working with PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance Advisory. As a consultant in the advisory sector valuation & strategy focusing on pharmaceutical and chemical industries, I have the opportunity to blend my two fields of study science and economics. I am confident that my years in Georgia prepared me with a solid foundation in all of the sciences. The small-sized classes at Wesleyan, the chance to work closely with professors on research projects and to present these experiences at scientific meetings such as the American Chemical Society Annual Conference in Chicago in the spring of 2007, afforded me a wealth of opportunities. Looking back, I feel that my experiences in the U.S., and specifically at Wesleyan College, have not only helped me to grow but also have shaped me into an independent woman with strong character - someone able to look ahead with an open mind and an eagerness to explore what life holds. The year that I was privileged to experience the Rotarian spirit will always stay with me. Among the most treasured memories are the weekly meetings at the Rotarian Clubs in Macon and the special contact to my host families, especially to my host mother Susan Allen and her family. She welcomed me with open arms into her life and her family and made me feel at home. I could not have dreamed and wished for a better place to find a home away from my home in Germany. I would like to express herewith my deepest gratitude to her and the Rotarians. My parents join me in sending our best Rotarian wishes to Georgia. My father being a Rotarian himself has instilled the Rotarian spirit early on in my life. At the moment, I am applying for membership in the Frankfurt Rotaract Club. I am planning a trip to the US next year during spring and hope to have the opportunity to see you all again. In the meantime, I am remaining with the best wishes from Germany. Fondly, Anne-Kathrin Witt Posted 08.02.09

Who's heading to North Wales and Oslo? Congratulations to the recipients of the 2009 Scholarship to Wales and their club sponsors! The following two Georgia students will experience the hospitality and culture of Wales from June 24 - July 15, 2009: Mr. Felipe Archila, Dublin, GA R/C, and Mr. James Winter, Dalton R/C. The scholarships are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wrexham Erddig, Dist. 1180. Hats off to Mr. Erik Elliott Smith, North Columbus R/C; Miss Elizabeth Blevins, Dalton R/C; and Miss Caroline Cox, Statesboro R/C! These three are the recipients of the 2009 Oslo International Summer School Scholarships. They will be studying June 27 - August 7, 2009 at the University of Oslo. Posted 04.20.09

Congratulations, Will Watt Fellows! GRSP Chair Jim Drake and Chair Emeritus Dennis Still presented Will Watt Fellowships to Rotary International President Elect John Kenny and to Rotary International Zones 33-34 Director Eric Adamson at the 2009 Peach State PETS Conference in Peachtree City. Posted 03.14.09

Student Spotlight Maria Andreeva, Russia, GRSP Class of 1996-97 Just thinking about the year spent in Georgia makes my heart beat faster as it brings back all the memories of the wonderful people I’d met, the interesting places I’d seen and the experiences I’d received. After completing my GRSP year, I came back to Moscow, Russia, where I graduated with honors from Moscow State Linguistic University in 2000. From 2001 to 2005, I worked for Channel 1 Russian television as senior news editor. In 2004, I participated in the Open World program that fosters good relations between Russia and the U.S. and visited Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a group of young local community leaders. Now I live in Washington, D.C. with my husband, Evgeny Agoshkov, also a GRSP alumnus. He heads the Russian Cultural Centre in Washington, D.C. We work together promoting Russian culture in the U.S. and bringing our two nations together. We have three adorable sons and I hope one day they also will have a chance to get such valuable experience and make lifetime friends as their parents had made in Georgia many years ago. Posted 02.24.09