Raper named Paul Harris Fellow by Mount Olive Rotary
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on June 24, 2005 1:45 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- The Rotary Club of Mount Olive has named Dr. Burkette Raper a Paul Harris Fellow.
The Mount Olive Rotary Club donates $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation each year in the name of someone in the Mount Olive area whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the foundation to build world understanding and peace. The money, which comes from local clubs around the world, is spent on humanitarian and educational programs and brings food, potable water, health care and shelter to millions of people.
Raper was presented with the fellowship during a ceremony Thursday night at the Southern Belle restaurant.
The fellowship was established to honor Paul Harris, who started Rotaryin Chicago in 1905.
Raper retired as president of Mount Olive College in 1995 and worked another 9 years as director of planned giving. He helped establish the college more than 50 years ago and guided its development from a two-year institution with 22 students in an abandoned school building downtown to an accredited senior college.
Richard Hunt, Rotary's district assistant governor, placed the Paul Harris pin on Raper's lapel. He told the club members it takes a measure of faith and a gracious heart to donate "hard-earned money to people and places you may never see first hand."
He said Raper has given immeasurably to the community, and the club's donation of $1,000 in his name will help allay suffering, improve living conditions and provide education opportunities to young people somewhere around the world.
Raper said he was humbled and grateful by the honor. He said he is happy to see the progress the Mount Olive Rotary Club has made through the years since he was a member.
"I have regarded it through the years as a prime civic club in the community," he said. Raper thanked his wife, Rose, for helping him be able to attend Rotary meetings despite a busy schedule.
The Mount Olive Rotary Club meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Southern Belle.