Gratitude and Impact: The Salyer “Hand Up” Endowment Continues to Change Lives
Friday, November 21, 2025
By Karralea List
Join the Rotary Club of Florence, serving all of Boone County (@FlorenceRotary), on Monday, November 24, 2025, at noon as we celebrate the continuing legacy and growing impact of the John & Connie Salyer “Hand Up” Scholarship Endowment—a Rotary partnership with Gateway Community & Technical College (@GCTCS_News) that’s transforming the lives of local students through opportunity, hope, and community support.
Gratitude and Impact:
The Salyer “Hand Up” Endowment Continues to Change Lives
Written By: Karralea List, The Decor Group of NKY
Rotary Club of Florence Celebrates Legacy of John & Connie Salyer Supporting Gateway Students
Join the Rotary Club of Florence, serving all of Boone County (@FlorenceRotary), on Monday, November 24, 2025, at noon as we celebrate the continuing legacy and growing impact of the John & Connie Salyer “Hand Up” Scholarship Endowment—a Rotary partnership with Gateway Community & Technical College (@GCTCS_News) that’s transforming the lives of local students through opportunity, hope, and community support.
Representatives from Gateway, including Tess Burns, Vice President of Advancement and a current scholarship recipient, will share how this endowment has become a lifeline for students facing financial hardship—helping them overcome challenges and persist toward their goals with dignity and determination.
The “Hand Up” Scholarship was established to honor the late John and Connie Salyer, whose lifelong service embodied Rotary’s motto Service Above Self.
- John Salyer, a dedicated Rotarian, District 6740 Governor, police officer, and representative for Senator Jim Bunning, was known for his deep commitment to others.
- Connie Salyer, a beloved middle school teacher for over 40 years, devoted her life to education and empowering future generations.
Together, their legacy continues to give students “a hand up” when they need it most. As one Gateway nursing student, Josh, shared:
“Gateway has given me a better life by giving me the opportunity of being able to help other people here in the community.”
And from Nick, a Computer Information Technology student:
“Gateway offered me a lot of things that made me confident I would find work in my industry.”
These stories reflect the heart of the Salyer “Hand Up” Endowment—real people, real impact, and real gratitude.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this ongoing legacy of hope and opportunity may contact the Gateway Development Department at (859) 466-9139 or email [email protected]. All gifts are tax-deductible, and 100% of contributions go directly to support students in need.
Members - Please share this information via email and social media. Invite a friend!
Please help us plan for seating and food by RSVPing at: https://tinyurl.com/rcofky-rsvp.
Date: Monday, November 24, 2025
Meeting Hosts: Team # 1
LOCATION: Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), 22 Spiral Drive, Florence, KY 41042
11:45 am – Lunch Buffet $13/person
12:00 pm – Meeting Begins, Greeting, Prayer-Reflection-Inspiration, Pledge & 4-Way Test
12:15 pm – Program Begins
1:00 pm – Meeting Adjourned
#FloRo #Rotary #RotaryCares #GCTCS #ServiceAboveSelf #HandUpScholarship #GratitudeAndImpact #UniteforGood
