The Holy Cross Rotaract Club recently welcomed Rotary District Governors Johnny Ahern and Penny Hamel to campus for their inaugural event, an engaging conversation about service, leadership, and the role community involvement can play in professional and civic life.
Rotary is a global service organization built around a simple idea: bring people together to take action on real community needs. Through local clubs and a worldwide network, Rotary members support hands-on service projects, develop leaders, and build long-term partnerships across communities. Rotaract is their student and young adult branch, connecting members to that same network while creating space for them to lead service work, learn from mentors, and build lasting relationships beyond campus. The Holy Cross Rotaract Club is connected to Rotary District 7910, which includes clubs across Central Massachusetts and MetroWest.
During the event, Ahern and Hamel introduced students to Rotary’s mission and shared lessons from their own experiences leading through service. Students brought strong energy to the discussion, connecting the conversation to their own interests and asking thoughtful questions about leadership development, professional growth, and how to stay involved.
To mark the occasion, the governors also brought Rotary pins to distribute to club members, a small gesture that helped strengthen the sense of community in the room. Pizza and salad were served, and the event offered a welcoming space for students to meet peers.
After just two semesters under club leader Catarina Sotelo ’26, Rotaract has grown to 31 members and the club looks forward to continuing to expand its reach, welcoming new students, and spreading the message of service-driven leadership.
Written by Lauren Yee ’28.