MARQUETTE — At its Christmas meeting, the Rotary Club of Marquette recognizes community leaders who represent the Spirit of Christmas by giving of themselves to the community. This year’s honorees are, from the left: Joe Meyskens, Rotarian of the year; Carl Lindquist, the non-profit leader award; Kate Compton, the Student Leader award; Gar Atchison, the business leader of the year represented by Peter Camille; and Bob and Carol Potrzuski who were not present but were recognized as citizens of the year.

Joe Meyskens has been a member of the Rotary Club of Marquette for nearly 27 years. He is an educator who began his career as a special ed teacher and then served as assistant principal of Bothwell Middle School and Marquette Senior High School. He was then principal at Whitman Elementary School and Sandy Knoll Elementary School. He also taught as a professor in the education department at Northern Michigan University. After retiring he was called upon to step in as the interim principal of Lakeview Elementary School in Negaunee. He stayed on as principal for as long as needed.

He is one of the most consistent attendees at the Club’s weekly meetings for fun and fellowship. He currently serves on the club’s board of directors and has served on the Club’s Rotary Fund (scholarship fund) Board for a number of years, including as its chairman. He also served as the club’s Rotary Youth Exchange Program Coordinator for many years.

Carl Lindquist is the executive director and the founder of the Superior Watershed Partnership. He was the sole employee when the Great Lakes non-profit formed in 1999. Working together with a creative board, they have been able to grow the organization to 18 full-time staff and over 30 seasonal employees in the Great Lakes Climate Corps.

As Carl has grown the organization from one employee to the many employees, he has expanded services tremendously … Climate Adaptation, Coastal Restoration, Energy Efficiency, Water Quality, Land Protection, Green Infrastructure, Trail Building, Tree Planting, Solar Installation, Native Plant Restoration, Environmental Monitoring, Community Pollution Prevention, Wetland Restoration, Low Income Energy Assistance, Stream Restoration, Sustainable Tourism, K-12 Great Lakes Education and more.

Carl’s commitment goes beyond the organization as he has served on numerous boards and advisory bodies including two terms as the U.S. Chair of the Lake Superior Binational Forum (U.S. and Canada).

He is also a strong supporter of the arts, and has created the Concert for Lake Superior and helped establish the Boreal Chamber Symphony. He studied Anthropology and Environmental Management and received his degree through the University of Wisconsin. Most recently the Superior Watershed Partnership received a very prestigious award Governor’s Service Award for service to the community, especially during COVID-19.

Kate Compton is a senior at Marquette Senior High School. She has taken piano lessons for eight years, and classical ballet lessons for 10 years. This is her seventh year playing flute and she added the piccolo. She recently finished her fourth year playing in the MSHS Marching Band, with her fourth year as the MSHS Drum Major.

This is her first year participating in the MSHS Redmen Chorale and was just recently accepted into Cantare and Chamber, both of which are special singing groups at MSHS. This is her third year participating in National Honor Society, her second year in the Environmental Club, and her first year in the MSHS Book Club. She has also been involved with the MSHS Spanish Club, which has allowed her to go with a group to Chicago, and to participate in the upcoming Costa Rican Exchange. Recently, she participated in the Tom Baldini Soap Box Challenge and was one of the finalists in the MSHS competition.

She has been a leader in the youth programs in the Marquette congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As such she has helped plan activities of many kinds including personal growth activities, bonding activities, and service activities. She has also been involved in planning activities for its entire congregation relating to Temple and Family History work.

Her parents are Virginia and Tim Compton.

Gar Atchison, CEO of UP Health System-Marquette, is a veteran healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience. He joined UP Health System from Frye Regional Medical Center, another Duke LifePoint facility in Hickory, North Carolina. Prior to that time, he served as CEO of Hickory Orthopedic Center, PA, a multi-location orthopedic practice in Hickory, North Carolina. Before that, he was a practice administrator for Bay Street Orthopedics in Petoskey, Michigan, and financial operations manager for Northern Michigan Hospital, also in Petoskey.

He is now the Chief Executive Officer for UP Health System Marquette and the Market President for UP Health System – Bell, Marquette, and Portage. He has been with UP Health System since December of 2019, He is a seasoned leader who is deeply committed to UP Health System’s mission of Making Communities Healthier. His leadership has been instrumental in protecting the community during the extreme challenges of the pandemic.

Bob and Carol Potrzuski were not present but were recognized. They are relatively new Yoopers, arriving here from Alaska five years ago. Both are active at the Warming Center, with Bob serving on the board. They both volunteer for Meals on Wheels and are active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Bob has also been substitute teaching in the MAPS system. This couple have very quickly become active and vital members of the community.