(Peru, Neb.) Peru State College (PSC) today announced charter membership of its newly established Rotaract Club.

Rotary District Governor Bob Perrin said, “Rotaract is an important part of the Rotary world. We welcome the Peru State students to our family and look forward to their service to mankind.”

Front row, left to right: Joseph Boyle, Hannah Reeves, Bailey deKoning, Brooke Earnest, J.D. Faxon Middle row, left to right: Mark McDonald, Katie Bornemeier, Sarah Mathewson, Sydney Irvin, Joseph Fauver Back row, left to right: Jon Kolman, Todd Ostmeyer, Gage Latscha Not Pictured: Ryan Bauman, Preston Bruss, Andrew Conn, Caleb Dutton, R. Jacob Hedden, Sara Mencl, Jes Merrill, Tyler Nutsch, Alex Roth, Andrew Staudt, Ryan Twehous

PSC First Lady and Rotary Assistant District Governor Elaine Hanson said, “I am impressed with the enthusiasm, dedication, drive, tenacity, and giving spirit of this group of students, who make up the first Rotaract Club at Peru State College. President Hanson and I are proud to be associated with them and find them to be an inspiration for service. We join their families, the campus community and Rotary District 5650 in celebrating their inauguration.”

Charter Rotaract members are listed below alphabetically by hometown. Officers, as elected by their peers, are also noted.

Nebraska
Beatrice
Katie Bornemeier, Sophomore, Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Jon Kolman, Sophomore, Biochemistry
Sara Mencl, Junior, Psychology
Tyler Nutsch, Junior, Elementary Education and Coaching

Bellevue
Brooke Earnest, Sophomore, Criminal Justice and Elementary Education

Bennet
Preston Bruss, Senior, Business Administration

Burchard
Secretary Bailey deKoning, Senior, Psychology

Dorchester
R. Jacob Hedden, Junior, Criminal Justice

Falls City
Ryan Bauman, Freshman, Psychology and Social Science

Grand Island
Caleb Dutton, Junior, Graphic Design
Ryan Twehous, Junior, Criminal Justice

Lincoln
Treasurer Hannah Reeves, Junior, Business Administration

Murray
Jes Merrill, Freshman, Music and English Education

Osceola
Todd Ostmeyer, Junior, Marketing

Odell
J.D. Faxon, Junior, Elementary Education and Coaching

Omaha
Vice President Sydney Irvin, Junior, Sport Management and Exercise Science
Vice President Mark McDonald, Senior, Sport Management and Exercise Science
Alex Roth, Sophomore, Criminal Justice

Springfield
President Joseph Fauver, Junior, Biochemistry

Sutherland
Joseph Boyle, Junior, Psychology

Wausa
Andrew Conn, Senior, Secondary Business Education

Colorado
Westminster
Andrew Staudt, Senior, Marketing

Kansas
Summerfield
Sarah Mathewson, Senior, English Education

Ohio
Cincinnati
Gage Latscha, Junior, Criminal Justice Counseling

Rotaract was founded in 1968 by Rotary International, an association of clubs comprised of service-minded business and professional leaders. It is one of Rotary’s most significant and fastest-growing service programs for young men and women ages 18 to 30, with more than 8,400 clubs in 170 countries and geographical areas. Rotaract efforts begin at the local level with members addressing their communities’ physical and social needs while promoting international understanding and peace through a framework of friendship and service.

Rotaract clubs are either community or university based and are sponsored by a local Rotary club. Five area Rotaries are serving as sponsors for Peru State’s club, including Auburn, Falls City, Humboldt, Nebraska City and Pawnee City.

Clubs are involved in a variety of service projects, including at least one community service project and one international service project each year. Among their activities, members mentor and tutor children; collect books; organize campus and outings for people with disabilities; raise funds for medical equipment and disaster relief; and raise awareness of AIDS, drug abuse and other issues.

The PSC Rotaract Club has already been engaged in a variety of service initiatives, including raising money for “Movember,” an initiative that raises funds and awareness for men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and men’s health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation.