Blackhawk Golden ‘K’ General Meeting
Minutes
April 23rd, 2025
Roger Willeford presiding, called the meeting to order with a ring of the bell at 9:30AM.
A Programs Committee meeting occurred today.
The meeting was led with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of America, the National Anthem.
Invocation: Bob Knudson, mentioning the children.
Raffle: John Janes oversaw the ticket sales and drawing this week.
The weekly pot was $17 and the big (Joker) pot was $165.
Jerry Burhans drew a ticket from the bucket, ticket number 669. Congratulations to the winner, Hamish Martin.
The deck of cards has 40/53 cards remaining. Hamish drew the Q♥.
A second drawing occurred. Linda Bontly drew number 617, for winner Mel Lemirande to receive a Mac’s gift certificate.
Roger Willeford thanks greeter Dave Calverley, invocator Bob Knudson, rafflemaster John Janes and server Maury Frey.
Happy Box: Hamish Martin announced he is happy because he is going home Monday, until July, and because he is donating his raffle winnings.
Jim Farrell announced he is happy because he went to an Abraham Lincoln symposium at the Kenosha Civil War Museum.
Jokes: Steve Skelly had a good joke about two guys in a cannibal pot. One is laughing, and the other looks over at him perplexed and enraged. “I just peed in their soup!”
Member Health: Linda Bontly had a status update on Tom Neumann, who is out with a bad cold.
Other Announcements: John Janes spoke upon the Pope’s passing, and how he was a proponent of climate change awareness. (The Tree Sale starts Sunday.)
Bob Knudson spoke upon Good Saturday Easter Lillies, $862.91 in donations from the three locations.
John Janes spoke upon a Blood Drive at Saint John Vianney the 28th/29th, 1-6p and 10:30-3:30 respectively.
Luci Cramer spoke upon Interclub Visits, and hat a signup is being passed around for Whitewater’s club, a breakfast-optional visit in around two weeks.
Steve Skelly spoke upon the Buddy Bunches, which are being sold, $100 during the Tree Sale.
Gregg Dickinson introduced the day’s speakers, UW Whitewater at Rock Dean Dr. Tricia Clasen, and UW Whitewater Chancellor Dr. Corey King. Dr. Clasen oversees the Rock County campus, and Dr. King oversees the Whitewater locations. Dr. King stepped into his chancellor role on March 1st, 2023.
[FTE = Full Time Equivalent]
Dr. King asked if and what year the room had for UW alumni. Three men stood, ’77 Paul Neitzel, ’73 Linda Bontly and ’65 Dave Figi.
Dr. King discussed budget. A few years ago the school was in $11M of debt. Today that number is zero.
Kiwanian Jim Farrell asked about seniors auditing courses. The doctor did confirm it was a free option.
Dan Heerey asked about Whitewater’s business school. Dr. King stated it was the largest in the state, and the top 2% in accreditation in the country.
Bob Wilcox asked, “How many in vs out of state students does the school have?” Dr. King responded, “roughly 10-12%, many from Illinois.”
Jim Farrell asked about the number of foreign exchange students. Dr. King stated the numbed declined greatly during COVID-19, and never recovered.
Dr. Clasen spoke upon the college, and its 155 years of history.
Kiwanian Ray Szczepaniak asked, “How would you recommend communicating with High School students?” (and made reference to ‘Circle K’ groups). Dr. Clasen responded, “No ACT scores are utilized. Students are selected based on participation.”
Other conversation transpired and good information was passed regarding the University of Wisconsin and its opportunities to pursue education.
Gregg Dickinson thanked Dr. King and Dr. Clasen for speaking and then presented them with Kiwanis Parker pens.
Roger Willeford adjourned the meeting with a ring of the bell at 10:35AM.
Reminders: There is an executive board meeting next week.
Minutes by Ryan Lewis.
Credit: Ryan Lewis, photographs.
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