Aurora Rotary John M. Lies Service Above Self Scholarship Endowment Fund
$1,250 per year

The Rotary Club of Aurora created a scholarship endowment fund in 2013 to honor John M. Lies, a former club president. Scholarships from the fund are intended to recognize local students who demonstrate a strong commitment of service to their community and a sincere resolve to become exemplary members of society.

John Lies was born in Aurora on June 8, 1946, and lived in Aurora his entire life. He attended West Aurora High School, the University of Michigan and Northern Illinois University. He married his wife Lynn in 1965.  The couple has three children – Robert, Michael and Kathy. Mr. Lies was the president of the Arnold Lies Company. He joined the family business in 1965 and worked at fully developing West Aurora Plaza.

He also was a community leader who served as a director of the First American Bank, Merchants National Bank, Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Easter Seals, Rush-Copley Foundation, Rush-Copley Medical Center (chairman from 2002 to 2007), Rush-Copley Medical Center-Chicago and the Aurora Country Club. A dedicated Rotarian for thirty-seven years, Mr. Lies served as president of the club from 1987-1988. As an aviation enthusiast, he became a private pilot and a multi-engine instructor. Mr. Lies loved golf, woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren.

The Rotary Club of Aurora created a scholarship fund in 1991 to honor Lyle E. Oncken (1924-2014), a Rotarian who served as club secretary from 1973-1992.

Mr. Oncken retired from his position as executive director of  INC Mental Health Alliance. In 1990. Scholarships from this fund are available to students from throughout the Foundation’s service area who are entering any field of study. However, preference is given to students entering fields that reflect Mr. Oncken’s lifetime interests, primarily in the area of social services.

The Rotary Club of Aurora established this scholarship fund to support local graduating high school seniors who will be attending a two-year or four-year college or university. Preference will be given to students studying healthcare or education.

The Rotary Club of Aurora United works hard at keeping true to Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self.
We’ve volunteered thousands of hours and given over 1 million dollars in grant contributions to 501C3 organizations locally and globally. We have a strong history of supporting Hesed House, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, Mutual Ground, Rotary Youth Exchange, and Polio Eradication, and many more.

We Are People of Action and will continue to grow our footprint in our local community. We will continue to provide service by using our time, talent, and financial resources to inspire, initiate, and involve our members and friends in activities to help promote the general well-being of young people in our communities.

The Rotary Club of Aurora United meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7:00am at Mother's Pancake House in Aurora.

If you feel that you would like to be of service to the Aurora community as a member of the Rotary Club of Aurora United, please contact us or join us at our next meeting.