The Hastings Area Rotary Club held a special celebration to honor a select group of Paul Harris Fellows. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is a way to honor individuals who have made a difference through their contributions to Rotary's mission of "Service Above Self".
Paul Harris was born in Racine, WI on April 19, 1868, and opened his law practice in Chicago in 1896. Rotary was born out of a dinner meeting between Harris and fellow attorney Bob Frank in 1900. The two met seeking opportunities for fellowship and friendship with business owners. The first official Rotary International meeting was held in downtown Chicago on Feb. 5, 1905, with four members. The name “Rotary” was chosen since the weekly club meetings rotated between the members’ businesses with the club doing community service projects in 1907.
Harris died in 1947 at the age of 78. He asked that contributions be made to the Rotary Foundation in lieu of flowers so that Rotary could continue to do good work, raising 1.8 million dollars. Today there are over 46,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide.
The Hastings Area Rotary Club was chartered on October 15, 1981, at the Mississippi Belle. The club has held a variety of fundraising events supporting many different organizations around Hastings. Hastings Family Service, Student of the Month, Annual Scholarships for high school seniors, Feed My Starving Children, Rotary Reads, Park Clean Up on Earth Day, Rotary Fishing and Cycling Without Age just to name a few.
The highest form of recognition a Rotary Club can bestow is the Paul Harris Fellow. It is presented to a Rotarian or a member of the community who has made an outstanding contribution to the community. Rotary honored Craig Beissel, Craig Madson, Bryan Schowalter, Mike Slavik, Greg Kasel, JoAnne Bollenbeck, Trent Hanson, Janet Stotko, Doug Erickson, Abby Meyer, Vicki Illa, Jane Scully, Cheryl Bullington and Andy Lutz at a recent dinner at the Hastings Golf Club. Here is a brief summary of accolades for each of the Fellows celebrated.
Craig Beissel has been an active member of the Hastings Rotary Club since 2018, serving as president for the past two years. He has played a significant role as the volunteer coordinator for Rivertown Live over the last 4-5 years, managing over 100 volunteers and 125 student athletes from Hastings. Craig is also heavily involved in local initiatives, serving on his church’s council for three years and as president of the Farmington Sno Tigers. In addition, he is a longtime wrestling referee and has a strong presence in the mortgage business, recently joining Merchants Bank after 25 years in the field.
Bryan Schowalter has served the Hastings community since 2006 as a police officer. Throughout his career, he has held various roles, including Patrol Officer, Drug Task Force Agent, Patrol Sergeant, and Commander, and is currently the Deputy Chief of Police. Bryan has been instrumental in ensuring the safety of Hastings events, particularly through his work on the planning committee for Rivertown Live. His leadership and service have been shaped by his “Service Above Self” mindset, constantly striving to improve the community's safety and security.
Andy Lutz is a longstanding advocate for the Hastings community, having dedicated decades of selfless service to building a robust Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) program at Hastings High School. Andy’s leadership and passion for the students he serves have left an indelible mark on the community, showing a deep commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for local youth.
Mike Slavik, a Hastings High School graduate and Realtor with Minnesota Realty Company, has been a dedicated public servant for years. He was first elected to the Hastings City Council in 2006 and later served on the Dakota County Board from 2012, representing District 1. Mike is active in numerous local organizations, including the Hastings Rotary Club, Hastings YMCA, and the Hastings High School Alumni Association, and frequently volunteers for community events such as Rivertown Days and Hastings Family Service.
Greg Kasel has been an active member of the Hastings Rotary Club for many years, contributing to numerous local causes and organizations. His support extends to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, school sports programs, and the Downtown Business Association. Greg’s unwavering commitment to improving Hastings through his volunteerism and business endeavors has had a lasting impact on the community.
JoAnne Bollenbeck has been a champion for individuals with special needs since the 1970s, working to secure meaningful employment and offering job coaching to ensure they integrate into the workforce with pride. She continues to assist individuals with special needs today, maintaining a long-standing commitment to helping others in the community.
Trent Hanson has been a leader in the Hastings community, exemplifying dedication and service. Known for his positive attitude and “whatever it takes” mentality, Trent has gone above and beyond, stepping into the challenging role of building principal while also serving as the activities director. His leadership has been a beacon of inspiration for both colleagues and students.
Janet is a shining example of the Rotary motto "Service Above Self," and as the first woman to join her husband Greg as a Paul Harris Fellow in the Hastings Rotary Club, she has left a lasting legacy. Janet’s work with Hastings Cycling Without Age, where she plays a pivotal role in providing bike rides for seniors, demonstrates her unwavering dedication to improving the quality of life in Hastings. She has also contributed to numerous other community projects, always striving to make her hometown a better place.
Doug Erickson, owner of Hastings Automotive, Hastings Chrysler Center, and Crossroads Shell Rapid Lube, has been an active community supporter for over 37 years. Doug and his wife Angela have generously contributed both financially and through volunteer efforts to numerous organizations, including the Hastings Rotary Club, Rivertown Live, and various local schools, raising over $150,000 last year alone to support community initiatives and events.
Abby Meyers, born and raised in Hastings, has been deeply involved in the community from a young age. After returning to Hastings, Abby joined the Rotary Club in 2021 and quickly became a key member, contributing to events and activities such as the weekly newsletter, Student of the Month presentations, and Rivertown Live. Outside of Rotary, she also serves on multiple boards, including the Meisville Mudhens and St. Mary’s Parish Council.
Vicki has been a Rotarian for nine years, actively participating in events like Rivertown Live and supporting other local initiatives. Her commitment to the community extends to volunteering for her children’s school activities and various events throughout Hastings. Vicki’s passion for giving back has made her a valued member of both the Rotary and the community.
Jane Scully, a retired public education professional, has devoted herself to giving back to the Hastings community after a 45-year career in early childhood education. As a member of the American Association of University Women and the Hastings Pickleball Association, Jane has played a vital role in Rotary’s Rivertown Fishing and Boating program, serving hundreds of seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities each year. Her contributions continue to enrich the community she has dedicated her life to.
Thank you to all the Fellows for helping make Hastings a better place for all.