Strengthening Community Partnerships: The Rotary Club of Pullman, WSU Panhellenic and Pullman Lions Club
pullman, january 2024
The Rotary Club of Pullman and Pullman Lions Club awarded Hope Acay, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, the Panhellenic Community Service Scholarship worth $2,000 at the 2023 WSU Arete Awards for the first time, beginning the recent relationship between the WSU Panhellenic Council and the Rotary Club.
The Rotary Club is an international service organization established in 1948 with the mission to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders,” according to their official website.
The Pullman Lions Club also contributed to the scholarship to promote their values of humanitarian service and developing young leaders. The Lions Club is an international organization with the purpose to “encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors,” according to the official Lions Club website.
The WSU Panhellenic Council began working with the Rotary Club of Pullman last year to encourage fostering community service in the local area while developing leadership skills. This collaboration provides individuals within the Greek community the opportunity to give back to the environment and local organizations.
Acay, 20, is a current junior studying English with a focus on human development. Her goal is to become a high school English teacher in the future. As the philanthropy and community service director of her chapter, Acay helped dramatically increase the amount of service hours performed while donating over $1,000 to charity from her hosted philanthropy events throughout the year.
“This award is one of the biggest accomplishments in my life,” said Acay. “I feel honored that my hard work has paid off and I was recognized for that.”
Erin Lasher, WSU Panhellenic Council’s Advisor, elaborated on the excitement behind this partnership. “We are so appreciative of the efforts from numerous Rotary Club members in ensuring that Panhellenic women have the opportunity for service and scholarship through our valued partners in the community.”
"Hope Acay's dedication to service embodies this Rotary year’s theme of 'Create Hope in the World.' Her impact in our community is profound. This scholarship recognizes her achievements and her potential as a future community and service leader. We're also excited about our partnership with WSU Panhellenic, which promises to foster even more community engagement and positive change," said Eric Hollenbeck, President of the Rotary Club of Pullman.