Rotary Global History (RGHF) participated in the Centennial Celebration of the Rotary Club of Chicago (ROTARY/One) as the first Rotary Club in history with both RGHF Chairman Matts Ingemanson and RGHF Director Dick McKay as speakers. From left RGHF Director and Immediate Past President of ROTARY/One Dick McKay, RGHF Chairman Matts Ingemanson, President of ROTARY/One Robert (Robb) Knuepfler and Past District 3210 Governor Dr. R. Asokan from India. You can also see Rotarians from Japan in the background.

RGHF Director Dick McKay speaks at the Centennial Meeting while ROTARY/One President Robb Knuepfler listens.

RGHF Chairman speaks about Rotary Founder Paul Harris’ Exciting Youth.

Rotary Club of Han Yang Soul President Sung-Dae Ko announces a donation to Rotary International in the amount of $250,000 while RGHF Chairman Matts Ingemanson listens.

Matts Ingemanson and Dick McKay in conversation with Ruth Ann Watkins, Chair of the ROTARY/One Foundation.

Past District Governor Ramasamy Asokan from District 3210 in India came to celebrate the Rotary Centennial..

Rotarians from around the world attended when the corner of Dearborn Street and Randolph Street was officially named

Rotary Club of Chicago Way

on February 23rd, 2005 100 years after the first Rotary meeting was held in an office building at that street corner.

Chicago Alderman Burton Natarus speaks at the event while ROTARY/One President Robert “Robb” Knuepfer, Jr. and ROTARY/One President Elect Evy Alsaker listen.

ABC News was there to record the event.

The corner of Dearborn Street and Randolph Street was officially named Rotary Club of Chicago Way on February 23rd, 2005, which is exactly 100 years after the first Rotary meeting was held in an office building that was located in that street corner.

This plaque decorates the sidewalk in front of what used to be the entrance of the office building at 127 North Dearborn Street.

Rotary Club of Chicago President Robert “Robb” Knuepfer, Jr. was interviewed by Hal Dardick, Staff Reporter at the Chicago Tribune in the corner of Dearborn and Randolph after the uncovering of the sign for Rotary Club of Chicago Way.

A delegation from the Rotary Club of Han Yang Soul, Korea headed by President Sung-Dae Ko was present.

There is now an empty lot where the office building at 127 North Dearborn Street used to be.

The Centennial Ball of the Rotary Club of Chicago

Harriet Mayor Fulbright, the 2005 ROTARY/One Award recipient, is well known for her service to the international community. Her husband, Senator J. William Fulbright, established his namesake program in 1946 as a means to prevent future conflicts and to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills. We are very proud to present the 2005 ROTARY/One Award to Harriet Mayor Fulbright in recognition of her tireless promotion of the Fulbright legacy.

To start the second century, The Rotary Club of Chicago is pleased to announce its partnership with the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce in a groundbreaking signature project called JobStart. JobStart was developed to strengthen and expand Chicago's KidStart Corporate Initiative, which provides summer internships to Chicago high school students. This partnership seeks to raise academic and training standards for participating students, provide hands-on mentoring and significantly increase the number of summer jobs through the hundreds of Rotarians who own or hold key positions in Chicago companies.

In partnership with Rotary District 6450, the Rotary Club of Chicago is also involved in The Gift of Life, which brings children from Asia, Latin America and Europe to the U.S. for life-saving surgery. We work with Rotary International to provide support for academic scholarships and for programs dedicated to the worldwide eradication of polio. We also maintain our long-standing relationship with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, which began with our first Annual Ball in 1966, and has resulted in the establishment of the Pediatric Care Floor at the RIC. We continue to support the Pediatric Free Care Fund, which provides children with disabilities the opportunity to receive vitally needed care.

As it celebrates the 100th anniversary and look ahead to the next century, The Rotary Club of Chicago will continue to help business leaders in Chicago become better community leaders.

Even Paul Harris was there!

The Rotary Club of Chicago found a Paul Harris Impersonator, who played the roll very well. He poses here next to an oil painting of the Rotary Founder himself

Rotary Global History Chairman Matts Ingemanson takes the opportunity to greet “Paul Harris”.

Senior Federal Appellate Court Judge William J. Bauer, a ROTARY/One member is seen here chatting with “Paul Harris”.

The silent auction had many interested bidders.

RGHF Director Dick McKay (left) and RGHF Chairman Matts Ingemanson (middle) together with Rotary International Centennial Chairman Wilf Wilkinson (right). Wilf has also been a Rotary International Trustee.

District 6450 Governor 2004-2005 Chris Reilly was at the Gala Dinner with his wife Georgia.

RGHF Chairman Matts Ingemanson and RGHF Director Dick McKay together with Past District 6450 Governor Brian Andersen. Brian was the recipient of Rotary's Service Above Self award last year.