The Georgia Rotary Student Program and GRSP Foundation held its annual summer business meeting in mid-July in Macon. During the session, members approved the 2024 audit and upcoming fiscal budget, elected officers for 2025–2026, recognized new trustees and directors, and honored distinguished service and donor contributions.

The GRSP continues its 79-year mission of “World Peace Through Understanding” by awarding one-year ambassadorial scholarships to international college students sponsored by Rotary Clubs in Georgia.

Financial Integrity and Transparency:  An independent audit by Fulton and Kozak confirmed a clean financial report for FY 2023–2024, with no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. GRSP maintains a favorable nonprofit efficiency ratio, dedicating 84 cents of every dollar to programmatic efforts.

2025–2026 Leadership Elections: Chair Emeritus and Parliamentarian Bert Guy presented the new slate of officers, unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees:

• Chair: Ian Bond (Columbus)
• Vice Chair: James McCoy (Lanier Forsyth)
• Treasurer: Al Hombroek (Lawrenceville)
• Assistant Treasurer: Steve Harrell (Athens)
• Secretary: Jackie Cuthbert, (Dunwoody)
• Assistant Secretary: Meredith Deal, (Brunswick)

GRSP Foundation Leadership and Recognition: The GRSP Foundation welcomed new directors including Past District Governos Andre Marria (Thomasville), Ken Townsend (North Columbus) and Ed Presnell (Augusta). District 6920 District Governor Terry Adkins (Brunswick) was elected as Foundation President, with Mike Alexander (Hartwell) as Vice President, Teri White (Thomasville) as Treasurer, and Cheryl Huffman (Rome Seven-Hills) as Secretary.

District Governors, Steve Ivory for District 6900, Jessica Fleetwood for District 6910 and Adkins for District 6920 each reaffirmed their continued support for both GRSP and the GRSP Foundation.

Distinguished Honors: Lorri Christopher, Rotary Club of Dunwoody, was named Trustee Emeritus for her extensive service to GRSP and the Foundation. Christopher was celebrated for her strategic leadership and deep involvement, including hosting multiple international students and spearheading new initiatives. She is also a Jim Brim Fellow, which includes cumulative contributions of $15,000 or more to the GRSP Foundation. Her full resolution is available at www.grsp.org.

Donor Milestones: Numerous Trustees and leaders were honored for reaching new cumulative donor levels, including:

• Will Watt Fellows ($1,000): Aaron Strimban (East Cobb)
• Hue Thomas Jr. Fellows ($2,500): George Siggins (Newnan), Susan Fortson (Elberton), Hunt Thornhill (Camden County)
• Kendall Weisiger Fellows ($5,000): Kerry Arnold (Henry Co.), Mike Alexander (Hartwell)
• Jake Cheatham Fellow ($7,500): Cheryl Huffman (Rome Seven Hills);  Larry Frosteg in memorandum (Pelham)
• Ronnie Waller Fellows ($10,000): PDG Andre Marria (Thomasville), Clarence “Pete” McDonald (Rome).

District and Trustee Updates: New district chairs include Scott Rich (District 6900) and Cheryl Huffman (District 6910). Rob Kellner continues as District 6920 Chair. District Directors include Aadu Allpere, (Buckhead) and George Siggins (Newnan) for District 6900; Mike Alexander (Hartwell) and John Richmond (Dalton) for District 6910 plus Dave Razo (Warner Robbins) along with Meredith Deal (Brunswick) for District 6920.

Several new trustees were appointed across the three Georgia districts, including Julio Portillo (Columbus) and Kevin Barbee (Newnan) for District 6900; Pete McDonald (Rome), John Petrillo (Gwinnett County), Jan Rooney (Lanier-Forsyth) and (Toccoa), for District 6910 plus Hunt Thornhill (Camden County) for District 6920.

Upcoming Events

• GRSP Conclave: August 15–17, 2025, in Athens, GA – Hosted by District 6910 ... Rotarians and guests are invited to Conclave to welcome the Georgia Rotary Student Program Class of 2025-26.

• GRSP Winter Business Meeting: January 23–24, 2026, in Macon, GA

For more information, visit www.grsp.org or follow GRSP on social media.