Written by Ansley DeCenzo, Staff reporter.

The Rotaract Club, in partnership with the Internationalization & Globalization Committee and VSU’s Center for International Programs, will host an event on Feb. 27, 2025, at VSU. The annual Prosper Tsikata Colloquium is tentatively scheduled for March. 

VSU’s Rotaract Club creates a culture of service and leadership among its students. Established to provide young adults with opportunities for personal and professional development, the club emphasizes community engagement and collaboration. 

According to the Rotaract Club Handbook, “Rotaract is a service club for young people ages 18 to 30 who are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges while developing leadership skills and making friends from around the world. Rotaract clubs decide how to organize and run their clubs, manage their funds, and plan and carry out activities and service projects that are important to their communities.”  

Dr. John Gaston, retired Dean of the College of the Arts at VSU, served as the club’s advisor, guiding members in their endeavors. Under his mentorship, students engaged in various service projects and leadership activities, aiming to make a positive impact both on campus and in the broader Valdosta community. 

“Rotaract Club existed at VSU as a result of the initiative of Rotary International members from the University, including the former dean of the Arts College dr. John Gaston, Rotaract advisor, and the Rotary Georgia Student Exchange Program coordinator Dr. Robert Kellner. I inherited the task from Dr. Gaston, and passed it to Dr. Chialing Lynn Ho,” Dr. Ivan Nikolov, Ex-Officio, said.  

The club’s mission aligns with the broader goals of Rotaract, focusing on developing leadership skills, promoting responsible citizenship, and raising high ethical standards in professional and personal life.  

Building on this mission, Dr. Ivan Nikolov highlighted the club’s deep-rooted connection to VSU and the influential faculty members who have played a role in its development. 

Building on these initiatives, VSU’s Rotaract Club can explore new projects that address community needs. 

“The club has undertaken various impactful projects, including a donation drive for domestic violence victims at the Haven, hosting a free art and craft workshop for seniors at the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Time Out (ACTO), organizing plastic bottle recycling and used battery collection events, and participating in campus clean-up initiatives,” Dr. Chialing Lynn Ho, advisor of VSU’s Rotaract Club, stated.  

“This year, the VSU Rotaract Club aims to provide the community with services through events that we plan strategically and allow students to network in a fun environment where they can flourish and grow their proficiency,” Teonna Masten-Benton, vice president of the VSU Rotaract club, stated.  

As the VSU Rotaract Club continues to grow, it remains committed to empowering students to become proactive leaders and compassionate community members. 

 Photo courtesy of Flickr.