Years ago, when I started at Kent State, I had to pick my upcoming courses. Somehow, as a musical theater major, I landed on a physics course. I remember telling the people in my dorm how I had signed up for Seven Ideas That Shook the Universe and they all looked at me like I was crazy, or perhaps confusing physics for fashion. When I told my parents what I had signed up for…my father asked me “What does physics have to do with acting, dancing, and singing?” Clearly not the reassurance I expected, I was once again nervous. I remember my first day of class the professor came in swinging a penny on a hanger (or something like that) while explaining to us how the penny stayed on the hanger. He explained the laws of physics in such a manner, that I hung on every word and ended up not only loving the course but getting a high B. (I was very happy considering some physics majors didn't fare as well!) This week I was thrilled when Jon Secaur joined us, especially when we talked after about my favorite Professor, his friend and longtime colleague Tom Emmons who we lost just two years ago. Listening to Jon I remembered how excited I was learning about all the incredible things that create our world from the tiniest subatomic particle to vast solar systems! Kent is incredibly fortunate to have such incredible scholars not only in the school, but the community. Looking forward to seeing everyone next week! Stay curious my friends!!!!
Rotareminder for the Rotary Club of Kent February 4, 2025
Meeting opening: President Rachel Kerns called the meeting to order and welcomed Rotarians and guests. She thanked our audio booth volunteers Adam Alderson, Mark Pennell, and Roger Kramer. Photos will be taken by Dominique Bollenbacher. Our patriotic song was America the Beautiful, played by David Dix. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Larkin offered the invocation. Our second song was Oh Canada, in honor of Rotary international. Visitors: We had one visiting Rotarian from the Ravenna club. David Myers introduced his guest Pete Kenworthy. Announcements: Amanda Senn is collecting donations of items needed by the APL. She will also collect again on Feb. 18th at our Rotary meeting. She also noted that she will be attending president- elect training in the near future. Dennis Campbell announced that Chamber will host a Business after Hours on February 12th at Buffalo Wild Wings. Larry Lohman reminded us of district grants seminars scheduled for Feb. 8, 19, and March 8. These are held on-line. He also announced the District Conference to be held on April 25 and 26 at the Cleveland Marriot East. In addition, Larry will email us information about trip opportunities to go to El Salvador to see our water projects. Dominique Bollenbacher told us that there will be a program on the new gateway to Kent on February 12th. It will be held at the High School from 5 to 7 pm. Riverbend residents are especially invited. David Myers reminded us that ticket sales are live for the Rotary Auction to be held at Bell Tower Brewing on the evening of March 11th. Sponsorships are encouraged. Rachel Kerns reminded us that there will not be a noon Roarty meeting on March 11th, just the evening event. Students of the Month: Dennis Love presented a student of the month award to Ashlyn Leavery of Roosevelt High School. Ashlyn was joined by her parents Shannon and Troy. Dennis reported that Ashlyn is involved with many school activities and events. She is a hard worker, admired for the environment she creates at school. She is respected by her peers. She has a 4.3 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She was captain of the golf team. She plans on attending the Ohio State University to study marketing or law. Kathy Scott presented a student of the month award to Dylan Benshoff. Dylan’s parents Heather and Adam were present at Dylan’s award presentation. Dylan is an 8th grade student on the Endeavor Team. He’s been involved in choir at Stanton. Teachers describe him as helpful and kind. He spreads positive vibes in the classroom. Dylan plays baseball and football. He would like to go to Ohio State University and play football for the school. Trivia time: Rachel had two questions about Grammy winners in past years. Winners received chocolate bars. Happy Bucks: Jackie Smiegel – is happy about accomplishments of Open Arms Adoptions. Dennis Campbell – wanted to celebrate good friends who received national recognition. Paul Organ – expressed pride in Marathon’s success. Laing Kennedy – is happy about us singing the Canadian national anthem. Tom Larkin – is happy about the successes of our students of the month. Jon Secaur – talked about their new rescue puppy named Sadie. Anne Moneypenny – is happy for sunshine. Mark Pennell – is happy to see Jon Secaur, a favorite teacher of his daughter. Program: Jen Lennox introduced Dr. Jon Secaur, professor emeritus in physics. He has a Ph.D. in educational theory and retired in 2022 with over 40 years of teaching experience. As a side note, Jen told us he likes to sing and has written music for his church. The title of Dr. Secaur’s program was called, The Universe Within. Compared to the universe outside of us, we are very tiny. To the edge of the universe is about 20 orders of magnitude. And the universe is still expanding! When we look out, we are miniscule. When we look inside, we are gigantic. Jon provided an example to help us grasp the scope of what he was telling us. He showed us a photo of 16 M&M candies. Eight candies were one color and eight another color. The candies were bunched together with plastic wrap. They represent the nucleus of one atom of oxygen, eight protons and eight neutrons, all crunched together. He used oxygen as the example since that is the most common atom. The example is to help us understand the size of the nucleus of one atom, but the atom itself, based M&M model, is about the size of three football fields end to end; to the east, to the west, to the north, to the south, and three football fields up and three football fields down. Wow! Oxygen has one inner cloud of electrons about two football fields away, but other than that, nothing but empty space. The nucleus of any atom holds 99.97% of the mass of the atom. The wispy clouds of electrons hold the remaining 0.03% of the mass. Electrons weigh almost nothing! When we look in we are colossal and gigantic. A person would be the size of the orbit of Saturn! That is about two and a half trillion meters. Protons and neutrons are made of three even smaller things called quarks. They are about the size of bacteria on the M&Ms. The nuclei of the atoms are empty space. In conclusion we are very tiny when compared with the whole universe. But compared with the universe within, we are enormous beyond comprehension. What we are, though, is just the right size! The program concluded with playing a Sesame Street cartoon about The Size of It. Response: David McKeen thanked Jon and praised his enthusiasm and ability to make physics understandable to all of us. The meeting closed with the Four Way Test.
Information in this eBulletin comes primarily from the Rotareminder, board meeting minutes, and stories submitted by members.
If you have any Rotary stories, events or speaker information to benefit the Club, please submit it to info.rotarykentohio.org@gmail.com. We will add it to the next appropriate eBulletin.
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