Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series

This week, we we welcomed President of the UW System, Jay Rothman to speak on the priorities of the UW System. President Rothman discussed topics such as driving economic prosperity and the war for talent, reducing socioeconomic disparities in Wisconsin, and addressing civic engagement and civil discourse. He also introduced the UW System strategic plan and highlighted partnership opportunities with the employer community in the greater Milwaukee area.

As we gain distance from pandemic-prompted schooling disruptions, how are students in Milwaukee and Wisconsin actually doing - especially compared to their peers nationally? School closures widened many pre-existing academic disparities, but they also spurred innovations in teaching and learning that continue to work for some kids and families. But political strife, election concerns, and cultural controversies are often sidelining discussions of academics. Rotarian Erin Richards, Editorial Director at the Center on Reinventing Public Education and a former education reporter for USA TODAY and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, presented the latest data on academic recovery and offer ideas for supporting the renewal of schools that better serve students' diverse needs and desires.

On the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Major General Brian Winski provided an overview of the 2003 invasion with a particular emphasis on the 101st Airborne Division where he was serving at the time. Winski, a retired 2-Star General with 37 years of service in the U.S. Army, served across the globe and commanded formations at every echelon including the famed 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell Kentucky.

On March 14th, we held a joint meeting with the Press Club and WisPolitics featuring Supreme Court candidate Dan Kelly. Dan was interviewed by a media panel including: Charles Benson – TMJ4 News Corrinne Hess – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Victor Jacobo – CBS 58 and Telemundo Wisconsin Please note: Janet Protasiewicz was invited but is not able to attend.

On March 7th, President of the Milwaukee Bucks Peter Feigin and Executive Vice President, Froedtert Health Eric Conley presented on the newly created Froedtert / Milwaukee Bucks initiative.