Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant recognizes monthly outstanding citizens for centennial celebration

What’s Happening: The Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant, established in 1925, is commemorating its century of service by recognizing extraordinary citizens with monthly honorary Paul Harris Fellow Awards.

What’s the Significance of the Awards: Named after Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney and Rotary founder, the honorary Paul Harris Fellow Award is presented to individuals who have a contribution of $1,000 or more made to The Rotary Foundation in their name. Designed to recognize and appreciate citizens who have made a significant impact on their community, individuals selected by the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant are honored for their meaningful contributions and are described as having enhanced the quality of life in the area.

Courtesy Rotary Club of Mt. PleasantMark Smith of Krapohl Ford was honored as the October 2024 Paul Harris Fellow.
Meet the Recent Awardees: Mark Smith of Krapohl Ford, the October 2024 Paul Harris Fellow, dedicates his time to serving local organizations including the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, the Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund of Isabella County, and Renaissance Public School Academy. Smith has provided drivers for cancer patients with the Community Cancer Services of Isabella County, supported the Rotary 5K, funded a benefit concert in celebration of Central Michigan area veterans, and has additionally supplied automobiles needed for Central Michigan University (CMU) Homecoming Parades. Smith also champions Kay’s Way, a community supplies drive in partnership with the Mt. Pleasant Women’s Initiative.

Courtesy Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant.Stan and Rene Shingles were the November 2024 recipients of the Rotary Club’s honorary Paul Harris Fellow Awards.
Stan and Rene Shingles, known for their community contributions as Mt. Pleasant locals of over 30 years, were the November 2024 recipients. Both Stan and Rene are heavily awarded and recognized in their roles at CMU—Stan in administrative leadership and Rene in athletic training programs. The Shingles are credited with elevating CMU’s national reputation while staying deeply involved in their local community through the United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties and Special Olympics Michigan. The Shingles also create a welcoming atmosphere for multicultural students at CMU, opening their home and offering valuable networking opportunities.

Courtesy Rotary Club of Mt. PleasantThe December 2024 Paul Harris Fellow honoree is Mt. Pleasant’s Angie Evans.
Angie Evans, the 2023 United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties’ The Good Prize recipient, was presented with the honorary Paul Harris Fellow award in December 2024. Having previously served on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Evans has long been an active community member. She is now serving on the Board of FlexTech High School of Shepherd and the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. Evans donates her time to emceeing for various charitable events and connects daily with community members through her role on 95-3 CFX, part of Black Diamond Broadcasting.

Courtesy Rotary Club of Mt. PleasantRetired MPHS English and drama teacher John Klack is recognized as the January 2025 Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant.
The most recent Paul Harris Fellow is John Klack, recognized in the month of January 2025. Klack was an awarded English and drama teacher at Mt. Pleasant High School for 29 years, known for instilling a sense of passion and appreciation for the arts in his students. Klack fosters a connected community atmosphere in and around his accomplished theater department and now serves as a trustee with the Broadway Theater in Mt. Pleasant.

What’s Next: Throughout the duration of their centennial celebration, the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant will recognize a new Paul Harris Fellow each month. The Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club is also preparing a series of events and impactful community projects throughout their centennial year, which are said to be formally announced in the coming weeks.

More Information: For more information about the Paul Harris Fellows and to stay updated on future Rotary events, visit the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant on Facebook.