Long Beach Rotary Scholarship Foundation Mark Bixby Leadership Award “Go Big or Go Home” … Mark Llewellyn Bixby (1966 – 2011) 1997 – “My life purpose on this planet is to protect and to provide for the physical and emotional needs of my family and myself; to support my friends by encouraging their successes and helping them through difficult times; to use my communication skills to share and exchange information and ideas in business and social settings; to further develop my skills as an artisan; to participate in experiential learning -­‐ travel and study the world, learn the customs and lifestyles of others, and try new experiences; to give time, effort, and money to charity and my community; and to impact the lives of others with positive energy.” Every aspect of Mark’s 44 years reflected his passions -­‐ athlete and computer nerd, handyman and musician, dedicated father and charitable community member, fearless but humble. He taught his children, Ryan (16), Kirra (15) and Jessica (13) (ages at his passing) and inspired those around him to live life to the fullest. He was always trying to learn something new every day. Mark was the youngest President of the Rotary Club of Long Beach, serving in 2003-­‐2004. He spearheaded a campaign to create Rotary Centennial Park, raising over $160,000, $60,000 over the goal. The neighborhood impact continues to be an extraordinary example of community partnership. He exemplified Rotary’s motto, philosophy and objectives. As a tribute to his dedication to improving and giving back to his community, friends and family, (attributes that were evident very early in his life), the Long Beach Rotary Scholarship Foundation has established the Mark Bixby Leadership Award. The yearly recipient will be selected from existing Long Beach Rotary scholarship students at Long Beach City College and California State University, Long Beach. Students may apply after successfully completing one year (two semesters) as a Rotary scholarship recipient. Applicants are asked to submit a statement (Electronic Word doc – 400 words or less) demonstrating why they are worthy of the Mark Bixby Leadership Award, a one time $3,000 award that is presented annually. Following review of the statements, members of the Long Beach Rotary Scholarship Foundation Board will interview a small group of students. The Mark Bixby Leadership Award recipient will be selected and notified by April 30, 2016. The award will be presented at the Noon Meeting of Long Beach Rotary in Spring 2016. Mark was the driving force in securing the addition of a bicycle and pedestrian lane to construction plans for the new replacement to the Gerald Desmond Bridge. He was a tireless advocate to make Long Beach ‘the most bike friendly city in the US’. He also chaired the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Camping Services Board for three years and was a founding director of the Long Beach Bicycle Festival. Also close to his heart was Children Today, which provides aid to homeless children and was co-­‐founded by Mark’s wife, Theresa. Mark, an avid surfer who loved sailing, lived an extraordinary life; his list of accomplishments is lengthy and broad. He traveled to 43 states and 25 foreign countries in his 44 years, and in 1985 he bicycled across the United States, traveling 3,250 miles in 30 days from Connecticut to Long Beach. He also biked the entire California coast on three separate occasions in 1988, 2009 and 2010. He competed in and won third place in the El Dorado Masters Series II bicycle races in 2009, and the five-­‐time Long Beach Triathlon participant came in 10th out of more than 1,000 entrants last year. He even worked as an emergency medical technician in 1989 and as a gondolier during the summer for Gondola Getaway from 1984 to 1988. Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Duke University and received a master’s degree in real estate development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Rotary Club of Long Beach encourages scholarship recipients to apply for this scholarship that strives to honor an extraordinary man who learned from every experience, continually took stock of his life and committed himself to improvement. CALENDAR Deadline for submission of electronic statement – March 15, 2016, 5:00pm •
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LBCC students – email to Shyra Compton -­‐ [email protected] CSULB students – email to Valerie Kelsey – [email protected] Interviews – Week of April 11, 2016 Mark Bixby Leadership Award Recipient • Notified by April 30, 2016 • Award Presented at 12 Noon Rotary Meeting in Spring 2016