Iowa Quad Cities Rotary – Doug & Lou Peterson “Mr. & Mrs. Rotary” Recognition Scholarship

This sixth scholarship, created in 2022, by members of the Iowa Quad Cities Rotary Club is to honor of one of their loyal and long-standing members, Doug Peterson and his wife, Louann. Doug is a past president of the club and has served on the Board of Directors for many years, currently in the position of club secretary. Doug and Lou initiated the club’s involvement in the International Rotary Youth Exchange Program by serving as host “Mom & Dad” for many exchange students in their home, while attending a year of high school in America. In addition, Doug and Lou headed up the district-wide Rotary Youth Exchange program for many years, overseeing the sponsorship of hundreds of inbound and outbound foreign exchange students, to help foster world peace and understanding within our global community. Doug has served on numerous boards and held positions of leadership within District 6000 of Rotary International, including assistant district governor.

Doug and his late wife, Lou, loved to serve Rotary together — especially by travelling to annual International Rotary Conventions, held in different cities throughout the world. It was always a treat for them to reestablish old friendships that were created under the Rotary “wheel”. They especially enjoyed reconnecting with past exchange students, of whom they have had the pleasure of hosting.

Since retiring from his job as an Industrial Engineer at Deere and Co., Doug has remained active in his church, by among other things, directing the church choir; and he still enjoys playing his double-belled euphonium in various brass ensembles and bands in the QC area.

Doug is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Sustaining Member of the RI Foundation, and a leading advocate of Rotary International’s quest to end the worldwide polio virus, through his continuous support and advocacy of the Rotary Foundation.

Preference will be given to students who meet the following criteria:

• Are an incoming student from an Iowa Quad Cities’ high school (Bettendorf or Davenport)
• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Are a Scott County resident
• Provide two references from high school instructors

The recipient of this award must attend an Iowa Quad Cities Rotary Club presentation ceremony and a press release/photo will be shared publicly by the Rotary Club.

Scholarship Use
This scholarship award is for the fall semester.