Rotareminder
The Rotary Club of Kent
March 17 , 2026
President Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:20. We sang the National
Anthem and Nelson Burns offered the invocation. David Dix at the piano led us in
singing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” from our brand-new Rotary Song Books, a project
that David and Tom Hatch put together.
There were no visiting Rotarians at today’s meeting. Saundra Kennedy was the guest of
Laing Kennedy.
Announcements
Jen Lennox passed out copies of a book by Doug Brendel, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit
of Silliness” which is part of his effort to raise awareness and funds for New Thing, a
humanitarian aid charity based in Belarus.
Doug Fuller announced that KSU will play Illinois State on ESPN later today.
Nithya Venkataraman announced that we raised about $42,000 at the recent Rotary
Auction for a net of about $33,000. Final results to come later. She also promoted a
special Happy Hour at Bell Tower Brewing on March 27 with Easter Baskets for sale to
raise money for AFS.
Dave Myers encouraged everyone to participate in this year’s Bracket Buster Challenge
with proceeds going to our Literacy programs.
Anne Moneypenny noted that a Luncheon with our City Manager will be held on April 27
at Bell Tower. The Chamber-sponsored Heritage Fest is scheduled for Friday, July 3.
Bill Childers encouraged everyone to attend the NCAA Watch Party at Rays on Friday
March 20 from 11:30 to 5:30.
Asad Khan displayed scale drawings of plans for Safety Town.
Student of the Month
Theodore Roosevelt High School Student of the Month is Emmanuel “EJ” Churn. He’s a
senior this year with plans to attend KSU Tuscarawas campus in the Fall to study
landscaping and business. EJ is a basketball and football player whose motto is, “If you
believe, you can achieve.” His teachers and coaches speak highly of EJ and his mom
was in attendance to see him receive this well-deserved award.
The Rotary Club of Kent
March 17 , 2026
President Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:20. We sang the National
Anthem and Nelson Burns offered the invocation. David Dix at the piano led us in
singing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” from our brand-new Rotary Song Books, a project
that David and Tom Hatch put together.
There were no visiting Rotarians at today’s meeting. Saundra Kennedy was the guest of
Laing Kennedy.
Announcements
Jen Lennox passed out copies of a book by Doug Brendel, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit
of Silliness” which is part of his effort to raise awareness and funds for New Thing, a
humanitarian aid charity based in Belarus.
Doug Fuller announced that KSU will play Illinois State on ESPN later today.
Nithya Venkataraman announced that we raised about $42,000 at the recent Rotary
Auction for a net of about $33,000. Final results to come later. She also promoted a
special Happy Hour at Bell Tower Brewing on March 27 with Easter Baskets for sale to
raise money for AFS.
Dave Myers encouraged everyone to participate in this year’s Bracket Buster Challenge
with proceeds going to our Literacy programs.
Anne Moneypenny noted that a Luncheon with our City Manager will be held on April 27
at Bell Tower. The Chamber-sponsored Heritage Fest is scheduled for Friday, July 3.
Bill Childers encouraged everyone to attend the NCAA Watch Party at Rays on Friday
March 20 from 11:30 to 5:30.
Asad Khan displayed scale drawings of plans for Safety Town.
Student of the Month
Theodore Roosevelt High School Student of the Month is Emmanuel “EJ” Churn. He’s a
senior this year with plans to attend KSU Tuscarawas campus in the Fall to study
landscaping and business. EJ is a basketball and football player whose motto is, “If you
believe, you can achieve.” His teachers and coaches speak highly of EJ and his mom
was in attendance to see him receive this well-deserved award.
Today’s Program: Laing Kennedy and the March Madness Bracket Buster
Challenge
Before announcing his top picks to win March Madness, Laing Kennedy, retired Kent
State Athletic Director, told the story of his career at KSU after he left Cornell with
special focus on the revitalization of the Basketball program.
Laing came to Kent State in 1994 at a time when the facilities and Basketball needed
new energy. He managed to raise 25 million for facilities upgrade. Despite resistance to
hiring a Black head coach, in 1996 he hired Gary Waters. It was a great choice: the
team went 9-18 in his first year, but went on to win the MAC Championship by 1999.
Waters eventually went to Rutgers after several successful seasons.
Laing then hired Stan Heath. At the beginning of Heath’s term during the 2001 2002
season, the team lost to Youngstown State. Heath needed Laing’s support and advice:
“If these guys don’t click with you, find ones who do.” With that, they went on to win 21
straight games including the MAC Championship. Antonio Gates was a member of that
team and they went all the way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Final team
record that year was 30-6.
When Heath was recruited by Arkansas, the players approached Laing to encourage
him to make Jim Christian from Heath’s staff head coach. Such was the respect they
had for him. In six years the team won three MAC Championships. The Women’s team
also won the MAC.
Laing’s Predictions:
Women’s Final Four – UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, Louisville
Men’s Final Four – Arizona, Duke, Purdue, Iowa State.
Saundra Kennedy added Florida to the mix.
Response
Mark Pennell responded and thanked Laing for his service to KSU and to our club.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Hatch
Challenge
Before announcing his top picks to win March Madness, Laing Kennedy, retired Kent
State Athletic Director, told the story of his career at KSU after he left Cornell with
special focus on the revitalization of the Basketball program.
Laing came to Kent State in 1994 at a time when the facilities and Basketball needed
new energy. He managed to raise 25 million for facilities upgrade. Despite resistance to
hiring a Black head coach, in 1996 he hired Gary Waters. It was a great choice: the
team went 9-18 in his first year, but went on to win the MAC Championship by 1999.
Waters eventually went to Rutgers after several successful seasons.
Laing then hired Stan Heath. At the beginning of Heath’s term during the 2001 2002
season, the team lost to Youngstown State. Heath needed Laing’s support and advice:
“If these guys don’t click with you, find ones who do.” With that, they went on to win 21
straight games including the MAC Championship. Antonio Gates was a member of that
team and they went all the way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Final team
record that year was 30-6.
When Heath was recruited by Arkansas, the players approached Laing to encourage
him to make Jim Christian from Heath’s staff head coach. Such was the respect they
had for him. In six years the team won three MAC Championships. The Women’s team
also won the MAC.
Laing’s Predictions:
Women’s Final Four – UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, Louisville
Men’s Final Four – Arizona, Duke, Purdue, Iowa State.
Saundra Kennedy added Florida to the mix.
Response
Mark Pennell responded and thanked Laing for his service to KSU and to our club.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Hatch