In 1946, for the first time in many years, the world began to see the light of peace. At the same time it also saw widespread desolation, ruin, and despair in many war-torn countries. In this light, Georgia Rotarian William "Will" A. Watt of Thomasville saw the need for a practical application of the Rotary ideal of International Service. Such an approach gad to look at the future of world peace while at the same time providing courage to those living in despair of the present. To Will Watt, it was only logical that this application of International Service be centered around the youth of the world in whose hands would rest the future of world peace. So Will Watt's idea was born. As a past District Governor of Rotary, he advanced his idea to the Rotarians of former District 165 which at the time comprised the entire state of Georgia. District Governor Irwin Ingram (1945-46) strongly supported the proposal and the sum of $4000 was provided --$1 per Rotarian. Three young men and one young woman from Europe were sponsored by Georgia Rotarians and became the Class of 1946-47. A small committee administered the program which later became the Georgia Rotary Student Program. At about the same time, Atlanta Rotarian Kendall Weisinger convinced the Rotary Club of Atlanta that the Atlanta Rotary Foundation should expand its student program to include students from other countries. Ultimately, the Atlanta program was merged with the Georgia Rotary Student Program following Weisinger's death. In 1949, District 165 was divided into two Rotary Districts and later into three Districts. The districts agreed that the Georgia Rotary Student Program, now incorporated, should continue as a joint effort administered by a committee with each district having equal representation through appointments made by the District Governors. Over the years, Georgia Rotarians' interest in the program grew. The per capita contributions and the special club donations increased, permitting a steady increase in the number of scholarships granted. The State University System, as well as privately- operated institutions, recognized the Program's value. As a result, the cost of scholarships were reduced when many schools began waiving the "out-of-state" tuition fees. Since the Program began, Georgia Rotarians have brought over 2,000 young man and woman from more than 90 countries to the campuses throughout the Peach State.
The Program Ours is a simple program - through the medium of scholarships we offer our friendship to young men and women of other lands in the interest of understanding instead of merely being understood. These young people are considered "ambassadors" of their countries. And we Georgia Rotarians are the examples by which they judge the United States. By being conscious of our responsibilities, we ourselves become better citizens of our country. As is so often the case, in the application of Service Above Self, the giver benefits as does the receiver.
