The Rotary Club of Ithaca introduced four new members. These community members volunteer in Tompkins County and bring professional experience from the business and not-for-profit sectors. Ithaca Rotary's motto is 'Service Above Self'. Membership is open to all who share in this belief; new membership applications are accepted year-round.

"The Ithaca Rotary Club is delighted to welcome these individuals," said Rotary Membership Chair Ron Provus. "Our members come from all walks of life and have a wide variety of interests to match those of Rotary. As members of Ithaca Rotary, individuals give of their time and skills to positively impact the needs of our community."

Maricelis Acevedo is Associate Director for Science of Cornell's Delivering Genetic Gain in Wheat project. She works with wheat scientists around the world to develop and deliver wheat varieties that are high yielding and disease resistant. Originally from Puerto Rico, she obtained a B.S. in biology and MSc in crop improvement from the University of Puerto Rico, and earned a Ph.D. in biology with a specialization in plant pathology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. In 2010, Maricelis was among the first recipients of the Jeanie Laube Borlaug Women in Triticum Early Career Award.




Aly Evans was named executive director of Family Reading Partnership in June of 2016. She previously managed educational programs for The CBORD Group, which brought her to Ithaca from San Diego. Aly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix. She is an active volunteer for local and national organizations that enable her to make a difference in the lives of others.





Linda Pasto grew up in Chicago and has lived in Ithaca with her family in 1985. She has been a nurse for 38 years, and is professor emeritus of nursing at TC-3. Linda earned three degrees from Syracuse University: B.S. in child development, B.S.N. in nursing, and a master's in maternal child nursing. Linda has traveled to five continentals, volunteers with several community organizations, and gets special satisfaction as an ostomy ambassador. She seeks to help others and make a difference every day since losing her colon to Crohn's disease.




David Williams grew up in Ithaca. After graduating from the Alternative Community School, he attended Cornell and then moved to New York City to work in non-profit professional theatre. In 2008, he was hired to work on Franziska Racker Centers' "Making Room" capital campaign before transitioning to Racker's Quality Enhancement and Standards Department, where he now works as Assistant Director of Standards. Last year, David completed his master's in public administration from Binghamton University. He has also been a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tompkins County.

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