Indy Rotarians in the News: Curish and Markoff

By on November 22, 2013

Born and raised as a Hoosier, Dana attended Hanover College. She studied chemistry/biology, thinking she would become a microbiologist, but fate drew her to the nonprofit world instead. She admits, “I have always had a passion for caring for those with low income.” She recalls an unforgettable moment as she was volunteering one morning with onsite registration for “Race for the Cure.” She asked a participant if she was running as a survivor, and the woman replied with tears in her eyes, “Well I thought I was, but I just found out I’m not.” She had been to the doctor the day before to learn that her cancer had metastasized. Dana felt an instant emotional letdown and gave the woman a hug, reassuring her that she would be a survivor. This incident marked a turning point in Dana’s life as she recognized the crucial timeliness for taking action, being proactive and catching the cancer before it’s too late.

Though Susan Goodman Komen fought breast cancer just as many women and even some men do, she is remembered as one who made an effort to make life better for others instead of focusing only on herself. Today Susan G. Komen represents the largest mass movement against breast cancer. Since 1982, Komen has invested $2 billion in community outreach and global research studying the causes, treatments and cures of breast cancer.

Komen Central Indiana is one of four affiliates in the state. Of the funds raised, 75 percent of proceeds stay within our community, implementing grant programs aimed in helping 30,000+ low-income Hoosiers within 21 counties. The remaining 25 percent of funds are applied to global research grants seeking specific causes, improved treatments and lifelong cures for breast cancer. Read full story.

Written by Janet Striebel, Publication: At CarmelJanet is a Freelance Writer and has been writing for atgeist.com for five years. After graduating with an English degree, she later earned a Master’s in Instructional Design from the University of Kentucky. She is married and has three children. The best part of Janet’s experience is meeting all of the amazingly interesting people living in our community. Curish photo by Brenda Staples Photography

Rick MarkoffMember in the News: Rotarian Rick Markoff teaches students to focus on the leadership skills that make a difference in private and public companies and organizations.
Several of IUPUI’s top graduate students made their mark late last month at the Strive Together Cradle to Career Network Convening in Dallas, earning widespread praise for a presentation that was born in one of several Organizational Leadership and Supervision courses taught by School of Engineering and Technology faculty member Rick Markoff.

The students involved — Ben Johnson, Brian Hansen and Shannon McCullough — focused on the leadership skills that make a difference in private and public companies and organizations. They drew plenty of praise from conference attendees but also the support of Jeff Edmondson, the managing director of Strive Together.

To prepare for their presentation, the IUPUI grad students called on several segments of their Organizational Leadership and Supervision courses, including face-to-face sessions with business entrepreneurs and civic leaders who have been happy to share their experiences in Markoff’s classes. Read full story.

About Indy Rotary

The Rotary Club of Indianapolis was founded in 1913, just eight years after the formation of the first club in Chicago. We are a diverse and vibrant club with nearly 200 members. Club meetings are on Tuesday's at noon at Ivy Tech Community College Culinary and Conference Center, are open to the public and are concluded by 1:30 p. m. or before. Come join us!