Sixty Rotarians and guests, including nine attending via Zoom, joined in singing our National Anthem, with pianist Jody Tull de Salis at the keys. President Roy More invited us all to recite the 4-Way Test, then welcomed today’s inspirational welcomer, Ed Wier, to the podium. Ed shared the wit and wisdom of the late Billy Graham on the similarities in playing golf and the life lessons that golf teaches:
1. “Keep your head down” translates to humility;
2. “Keep your eye on the ball” represents resolution and concentration; and
3. “Follow through” means persistence.
Each maxim speaks to living our lives as Rotarians.
Songstress Joanne Marttila Pierson led the group in a rousing Rotary Golf Outing song to the Drifter’s 1964 classic, Under the Boardwalk. “Raisin’ funds for our Ann Ar-bor Ro-ta-ry.”
President Roy thanked today’s meeting team including Jim Egerdal, Carolyn Hiatt, Fernando Leon, Joanne Marttila Pierson, Mary Steffek Blaske, Jody Tull de Salis, Linda Wallis, Ed Wier, Max Wisgerhoff, and Jamie York.
Birthday wishes galore and a generous slice of cake to Shannon Polk, Edith Too, Monica Swartout-Bebow, Frode Maaseidvaag, Stephen Schramm and Linda Wallis! And give Mark Foster a hearty cheer for being a Club member for 26 years.
Member Trivia Challenge: We have great members, but do you know some of the fun facts and personal achievements of our individual members? Kennan Robins challenged the Club to be the first to identify Bob Buckler through a series of clues about his interests, career and achievements. Bob, we are glad you are a member!
Celebrate the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge for Walkers and Bicyclists:
Mary Avrakotos and former Ypsilanti mayor Cheryl Farmer came to the podium to invite all Rotarians and friends to join them and other District 6380 Rotarians on Wednesday, August 5 to walk the brand new Gordie Howe Bridge. Help carry a banner celebrating Rotary and Canada, America’s best friend. Meet at the U.S. side of the beautiful new bridge at the Bagley Mobility Hub, 2209 Bagley Street in Detroit at 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 5. Remember to bring your enhanced driver’s licence or passport, and your comfie walking shoes.
President Roy showed photos from the Bicentennial Park Dedication that took place July 10-12. Thanks to Past President Joyce Hunter for her work at the groundbreaking in 2024, and to Rosemarie Rowney and Don Deatrick who were the first proponents of including a splash pad to the park. Thanks to the team who helped give ice cream sandwiches and Rotary information during the Dedication: Don Deatrick, Shirley Kipp, Sara Maddock, Tom Millard, Roy More, Rosemary Rowney, Carolina Typaldos, Fanfan Zheng and Rotary Exchange student Katuro.
Greg Stejskal reminded our Club Members that the Sept. 14 Golf Outing at Barton Hills Country Club. This event enables us to support the myriad of important local and international projects, grants, and scholarships. Volunteers are needed for the day. Contact Rick Jarzembowski.
The Main Event: Kelly Sexton, Associate Vice President for Research: “U-M Innovation + Impact: Research Commercialization at the U of M”
Kelly Sexton, Assistant Vice President of Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan, began her talk proudly noting that the UM is a global leader in research. US News & World Report published that the UM has more than 100 top-10 fields and subfields ranked departments across all its graduate programs. In 2025, the UM put $2.16B toward research activity.
Sexton highlighted the institution’s successful commercialization efforts including bladeless lasik, OLED display, mobility vehicles, therapeutics, cybersecurity, ultra-low computing, FluMist, and histotripsy non-invasive surgery. She praised the UM’s work of amplifying the impact of research by alliances with industries and corporations, licensing the intellectual property, and helping startup creation and acceleration. She is especially proud of the new alliance with ASICS shoe company for choosing UM for a $25M sports innovation institute.
Since 2003 UM research has produced 10 FDA-approved therapeutics and 31 marketed medical devices. In 2025, the UM saw 673 new inventions – the second highest invention rate in the nation. Sexton noted that startups in the Great Lakes Region take an average of two years longer to raise their first $500K as compared to startups on the coasts. In response to that hurdle, UM started “Accelerate Blue Fund” to support startup companies in securing early-stage investment capital.
After questions and answers, Sexton received a warm round of applause.
