Hilary Hunt, Stillwater Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, brought 16 years experience in commercial and residential architecture and design and an OSU degree to her position. She updated Centennial Rotarians on current projects. SHFH began in 1990. This March it turned over its 34 th home. Now planning is underway to develop land adjacent to its ReStore into group of about a dozen smaller homes sharing amenities such as a child play area. Over its 30 years SHFH has had success with making people homeowners thanks to its many volunteers and help from businesses and churches.
Stephanie Fry, area director of Big Brothers and Sisters, discussed childhood trauma and its consequence. At least 1 in 7 American children report experiencing trauma in the past year. Every day over 1,000 youth are treated in ERs for assault-related injuries. Trauma can be due to parental divorce, to school, neighborhood or home violence, neglect and much more. Childhood trauma can lead to learning problems, increased use of health and mental health services, involvement with the justice system and long-term health problems. The signs of child trauma are well-known and should lead to help. For example, children experiencing a school shooting are routinely given counseling. Government agencies and non-profits work with children and families to help children overcome trauma. Several older Rotarians noted what was routine in their childhood, school fights, spanking, bullying, for example, is no longer acceptable.
Maribeth Kuzmeski, OSU Marketing Clinical Assistant Professor, brought Centennial Rotarians up todate on The Brand Squad. A U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the door to college athletes making
money from their name, image and likeness (NIL). As athletic departments cannot be involved in
student compensation, OSU Athletics reached out to Dr. Kuzmeski. Could she figure a way to organize
this? She came up with The Brand Squad. Marketing undergraduates who took a special course and
were certified could join The Brand Squad. These students worked with individual athletes and other
students – musicians, artists, actors – seeking to monetize themselves. Focusing on social media,
students could endorse a local pizza place or sell personalized clothing. The larger the sweep of their
media presence, the greater their earning. The field is very new. As OSU is first with the program,
Brand Squad graduates are in demand at universities all over. Dr. Kuzmeski holds degrees from
Syracuse, George Washington and OSU. She has a Brand Squad text used here and at other schools
among her other marketing books. Rotarians quickly found why she is a highly sought after and
popular speaker.
Amelia Chamberlain came to the Centennial Rotary Club and gave an overview of the Sheerar Museum.Amelia is director of the museum and elaborated on the local history exhibits available plus all the materials that are in storage. Amelia described how the Sheerar collaborates with other museums and libraries such as the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma State University library. Amelia is a lifelong educator with many years experience with museums.