Please join us on Friday, June 26th at the Embassy Suites for the Presidential Induction, as we recognize and thank the outgoing club leadership, recognize this year's Tim Creedon, Dave Wastchak and Craig Wilson award winners, welcome our incoming leadership, and induct our 2026/2027 President, Dave Howell. Our planning committee has a fun lunch planned, so we invite you to sit back and enjoy the lunch as we celebrate the end of a great year and the beginning of what we hope to be another great Rotary year that builds upon years past!

The meeting registration fee is $50 and includes lunch. Register by clicking the "Register NOW" button or click here. Please register by 6pm on Monday, June 22nd. If you miss the deadline and plan to attend, please email rotary@rotary100.org (please note, there is a $5 late fee). Any cancelations after this time are non-refundable. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!

Rotary District 5495 Governor Joe Sweeney Installation Dinner

When: Saturday, Jun. 27, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m
Where: Anthem Ironwood Country Club
41551 North Anthem Hills Drive, Phoenix, AZ

$95 per ticket
Link to register - click here

Join Rotary District 5495 for an inspiring evening as we come together to celebrate leadership, fellowship, and the continued spirit of Service Above Self.

This special event honors the dedicated service and accomplishments of District Governor Jim Schmidt as he concludes his Rotary year, while also welcoming District Governor Joe Sweeney as he begins his year of leadership and service to our District.

Rotarians, partners, friends, and guests are warmly invited to enjoy an evening filled with gratitude, celebration, and excitement for the future of Rotary in District 5495. The evening will provide an opportunity to recognize the impact of the past year, connect with fellow Rotary leaders and members, and look ahead to the opportunities and vision for the year to come.

This week’s PHX100 meeting was a day of new beginnings, meaningful reflection, and a look into the future—both for our club and for education in our community.

President Kathy Mitchell welcomed everyone to our first meeting at The Old Spaghetti Factory, one of the locations being considered as we search for our next Rotary home. She pointed out that the space was designed with community gatherings in mind—complete with a Rotary wheel already proudly displayed—making it a fitting place for a club built around connection and service.

After the Pledge of Allegiance led by Randy Pullen, Steve Goldston delivered a moving inspiration honoring the anniversary of D-Day. Steve shared the story of Captain Seymour Malakoff, a C-47 pilot who participated in Operation Albany during the Normandy invasion. After successfully dropping paratroopers behind enemy lines, Captain Malakoff and his crew were tragically lost when their aircraft was struck by enemy fire. Steve reminded the group of the tremendous sacrifice represented by the nearly 9,400 graves at the American Cemetery overlooking the beaches of Normandy—a powerful moment of gratitude and remembrance.

Secretary Bernadette Hirsch kept everyone up to date on our upcoming “Rotary roadshow” as PHX100 continues testing potential meeting locations, including upcoming meetings at Embassy Suites and Aunt Chilada’s. She also highlighted several upcoming opportunities to connect and serve, including Project C.U.R.E., district events, leadership programs, and even some opportunities that might require a golf swing (though thankfully Top Golf welcomes all skill levels!).

We were also joined by District Governor-Elect Joe Sweeney, who shared his passion for supporting the Rotary Foundation and had the honor of recognizing two PHX100 members for their generosity and commitment. Elisabeth Wisthoff was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow +4, while Past President Randy Long received recognition as a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation. Their ongoing contributions serve as a reminder that Rotary’s impact extends far beyond our weekly meetings.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a PHX100 meeting without a few fines and Happy Hamiltons! Acting Sergeant at Arms John Gerace reminded our guests (and perhaps warned them!) that Rotary has a very sophisticated “network of informants”—meaning your good deeds, accomplishments, and occasional missing Rotary pin rarely go unnoticed. Members shared celebrations, updates, and a few laughs before John even fined himself for forgetting his own Rotary pin. Consider this everyone’s official warning: pins may be small, but apparently they are mighty!

President Kathy then recognized Ted Taylor as Rotarian of the Month for his outstanding work leading this year’s Speech Contest. Ted’s behind-the-scenes preparation, organization, and guidance helped make one of our club’s longest-standing traditions another success.

Kathy also provided updates on our ongoing search for a permanent meeting location. The venue task force continues to explore options throughout the summer, gathering feedback and making sure our future home has the right combination of space, food, AV capabilities, and—most importantly—the ability to bring our Rotary family together.

The highlight of the afternoon was our featured speaker, Dr. Brian Mueller, President of Grand Canyon University, introduced by Randy Pullen. Dr. Mueller shared the remarkable story of GCU’s transformation—from a struggling university with fewer than 1,000 students on campus when he arrived in 2008, to a thriving institution serving tens of thousands of students today.
With humor and humility, Dr. Mueller reflected on his unexpected journey from aspiring high school teacher and basketball coach to university president, joking that if you want to give God a good laugh, “tell Him what your plans are.”

He walked us through GCU’s growth, innovation in online education, and mission to make higher education accessible and affordable. While many universities face rising costs and student debt challenges, Dr. Mueller highlighted GCU’s commitment to keeping tuition stable while continuing to invest heavily in facilities, technology, and student programs.

Beyond the campus itself, Dr. Mueller shared the university’s larger vision for transforming the surrounding community. From creating thousands of jobs, investing in neighborhood safety, partnering with Habitat for Humanity, providing scholarships to local students, supporting workforce training programs, and helping families through CityServe, GCU’s approach reflects a belief that education should not exist apart from the community—it should strengthen it.

One especially meaningful connection for our club was hearing about GCU’s partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a project many PHX100 members know well. Dr. Mueller described students helping build beds for children who previously did not have one of their own, reminding us that sometimes the simplest acts of service can have the greatest impact.

As a thank-you for his time and inspiring presentation, President Kathy announced PHX100 would make a donation to the Canyon Rising Scholarship Fund, supporting scholarships for students in GCU’s surrounding community.

And because Rotarians never miss an opportunity for fellowship, Dr. Mueller also graciously extended an invitation for PHX100 to visit GCU’s campus and potentially hold a future meeting at the Havoc House—perhaps with a campus tour included!

President Kathy officially closed the 5,448th meeting of Phoenix Rotary 100, reminding everyone that our next gathering will be June 26th for Dave’s Presidential Induction.
Another Rotary Friday filled with history, humor, generosity, and a reminder that building stronger communities begins when people choose to invest in one another.

To see photos click here 
Rotarizonian Report By: Amber Guida

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