Members of the Rotaract Club at Alabama A&M University recently visited a meeting of Rotary Club of Madison, the club’s sponsor. (CONTRIBUTED)

NORMAL – Rotary Club of Madison has helped to establish Alabama’s first university-sponsored Rotaract Club at Alabama A&M University.

“Madison Rotary is proud to sponsor the A&M Rotaract Club and looks forward to working, mentoring and supporting this wonderful group of young adults,” Karen Morris said. Morris serves as director of new generations for the Madison Rotarians.

The organization was chartered as “the Alabama A&M University – Global Social Service Research Rotaract Club” on Oct. 16.

This spring, Dr. Valerie McDuffie with Alabama A&M approached Madison Rotarians about forming the club, so they reviewed requirements and the Rotaract manual. McDuffie then recruited students to attend an informational meeting on campus. Interested Madison members also visited.

“Madison Rotary submitted all forms and fees to form this new Rotaract Club,” Morris said. McDuffie is serving as primary advisor, assisted by Drs. Gwendolyn Williams, Dr. Charnetta Gadling-Cole and Jitendra Kapoor.

Club officers are president Eric Moss Jr., vice president Tyler K. Pearson, secretary Justin Hobdy and treasurer Brianna Kenney. Other members are Juwan Allen, Quintarius Fails, Jamila Fletcher, Nikki Howard, Sandra Lyinga Karumbreria, Jaruis McGhee, Antoinette Roberts, Andrew Stephens, Jerald Thomas, Randal Tigner and Justin Wright.

Membership is open to any A&M student.

Along with Morris, Madison Rotarians who worked with A&M contacts to found the club are Paula Cushman, Shelia Nash-Stevenson, Janice Schuckman and Sandy Patel.

Like any Rotary Club, the A&M Rotaract club’s objectives are based on the Four Way Test: Is it the truth? Fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it benefit all?

Its mission statement says the club will provide “a high standard of leadership, promote excellence in academia and a moral compass devoted to service, to its members, the A&M campus and global communities.”

“The Rotaract Club will be a strong club based on core values, which will help in building leadership and service among the club members,” Morris said. “Club members will maintain service above self as they go out into the student body doing community and university-based projects.”