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GRSP Update
Two Students Honored with Barbara M and Donald L Thomas Peace Awards

by Katheryne Fields, GRSP Executive Director

The Georgia Rotary Student Program celebrates two scholars who promote peace and understanding among their peers and nations. Rotary International marks February 23 to celebrate its 120th anniversary and World Understanding and Peace Day as it is also the anniversary of the first Rotary meeting in 1905.

Two GRSP scholars were honored in their respective host Rotary Club meetings recently by Committee Chair John Carruth representing the Roswell Rotary Club and presenting the Barbara M. and Donald L. Thomas Peace Award to Shifa Maherali Jiwani of India and Jordan Laurent Noueku of Cameroon.  The pair will also be recognized at the Georgia United District Conference in April.

Jiwani attends Kennesaw State University and is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of East Cobb and Paulding County. Immediately volunteering in the US healthcare system followed by her research journey that she started as a freshman at Kennesaw into antimicrobial resistance, which may result in saving millions of lives around the world, helped her standout.

“We were very impressed with her desire to become a healthcare professional to help overcome the healthcare inequities in impoverished areas of the world, having witnessed in her native country of India,” Carruth said.

Noueku attends Morehouse College and is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Midtown Atlanta, Atlanta West End and Fayetteville. His letter introduced himself as a young man willing to give back with his time and talents, and also one for whom the monetary award would be a great help as he seeks medical education so he may help others. 

“Jordan’s journey has not been easy in pursuit of this goal, with many setbacks and financial struggles along the way, first with even being able to come to America, then with high school in San Francisco, and now in college at Morehouse,” Carruth said. “We hope that this award, in some small way, will help you on your path toward becoming a medical technician and being able to give back to those who have helped you get this far.” 

Roswell Rotarian PDG Bob Hagan stated that Donald, chairman of Anchor Savings Bank, and Barbara, who did not work for the bank but was featured in promotions, were known throughout Georgia for their 1980s rhyming radio and television advertising, “Your Anchor Banker, he understands. Yes, your Anchor Banker, she understands.”  Donald died in 2006 and Barbara in 2013.

As Roswell Rotarians the Thomases were strong supporters of GRSP.  Both were recognized as Kendall-Weisiger Fellows, distinction awarded by the GRSP Foundation for contributions of $5,000 or more.  In June 1992, they created a substantial Charitable Remainder Trust to be given to GRSP.  In June 2001, they established the Barbara M. and Donald L. Thomas Peace Award to a recipient who exhibits the spirit of the program, exemplifies Service-Above-Self and expresses evidence of additional financial assistance to meet the needs associated with their education or career goals. Thanks to their generosity, this year an award of $2,500 was presented to each recipient.

Posted by Katheryne Fields
March 2, 2025

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