The Paul Harris Fellowship was bestowed upon two local individuals by the Rotary Club of Livingston during its meeting Thursday. Named for Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary Club, the fellowship is the highest individual honor that is presented to a Rotarian or non-Rotarian. This year’s recipients of the prestigious award are Trina Fowlkes and Steve Fowlkes.
Trina Fowlkes
“I am going to tell you who is receiving this award as I want you to know who it is as I’m reading her many accomplishments,” Rotarian Judy Cochran said.
“Trina Fowlkes was born and grew up in Michigan and I am so glad that she found her way to Livingston, Texas and our Rotary Club. She attended Central Michigan University where she met Steve Fowlkes. After Steve graduated, he accepted an offer from Texaco in Houston. He asked her if she wanted to move to Houston with him and she told him that her Dad would make him marry her before he could cart her off to Texas. They all agreed and they will be married 45 years this August.
“She grew up in a Rotary-focused home where her father held every elected position in her hometown club in Michigan. She grew up volunteering, or being voluntold to participate, at many local events. In her junior year of high school, the club sponsored her to Girls State which was a very meaningful experience for her.
“Fast forward to 1988 and she was proposed and inducted into the Rotary Club of Houston, which at that time, had 932 members. It may have been the largest club in the world. Her husband Steve was invited to sit at the Rotary Ann’s table, where he was quickly told in no uncertain terms, he would not be allowed to join that group.
“She felt that every member was much more important and with much bigger jobs than she as a lowly bank officer. She felt she was outside of her league which was one point of contention for many members, the other point was that she was a woman. She was the 16th woman to be inducted into that club, and the only woman who was not a club member’s mother. She was the first ‘non-related’ woman to be ‘let in.’ So that is quite an accomplishment. Rotary had always been a part of her life and she knew she wanted to be a Rotarian from an early age. Like so many of us, she joined Rotary for what it meant to her and her community.
“During her time in the Rotary Club of Houston, she held numerous elected and non-elected leadership positions, eventually chairing the new members orientation group where they inducted between 20 and 30 new members a month into the club.
“Steve and Trina’s children grew up in Rotary just like she did. For many years she and Steve were involved in Camp Enterprise, which is a weekend in residence entrepreneurial experience for high school juniors. Their three girls were campers and one of them eventually became a coach like Trina and Steve had been. Trina and Steve eventually ran the camp for many years. And they enjoyed watching the 72 high school juniors blossom into confident participants over the weekend.
“They bought their home on the lake in 2011. Steve retired in 2014 and Trina retired in 2017 from the banking industry. Trina joined the Rotary Club of Houston in August, 1988 and after moving to the lake and visiting the Rotary Club of Livingston many times, in many different locations, eventually she was proposed and inducted by Brandon Wigent in July 2021. Thank you Brandon!
“Trina says that she loves this organization, its members and its focus on doing good in Polk County and we love her too. It is my honor to present a beautiful Paul Harris pin with four blue stones to Trina Fowlkes,” Cochran said.
Steve Fowlkes
“I have the privilege of introducing you to one of those people who changes your life for the better. Let me start with a bit of backstory. Steve grew up in a suburb of Detroit, eventually enrolling in Central Michigan University where he studied mathematics and chemistry. And it was there that our paths crossed. I was immediately smitten. Steve, however, needed a little more time to catch on,” Trina Fowlkes said.
“After graduation, Steve began his career with Texaco. He supported seismic teams, 3D visualization groups, and managed key functions within the exploration and production division. As the industry began to shift, one of the division managers encouraged him to pursue an MBA. Texaco sponsored him, and Steve earned his MBA from the University of Houston with honors, all while working full time.
“When Texaco merged with Chevron, the culture changed dramatically. Steve embraced the new environment as if he were starting a brand new job, even though he never changed offices. Later, he was asked to lead the information management group for the development of a floating production platform. The project was a success, and the celebration of first oil included taking the entire Agbami project team to New Orleans.
“After 33 years, Steve retired from Chevron in 2014. When I joined Rotary in 1988, Steve joined by default – and then by choice. He became a steadfast supporter of both the Houston Rotary Club and the Livingston Rotary Club. Service wasn’t something he talked about. It was something he lived.
“During our time with the Houston club, he served for many years as a coach for Camp Enterprise. When I became the chair, he became the wizard behind the curtain – maintaining documents, tracking details for 72 students and a dozen coaches and six or more speakers. He ensured everything ran smoothly every year.
“Together, we raised three girls. He volunteered with Girl Scouts, soccer, lacrosse, and nine years of FFA projects. He helped not only our daughters but other kids with their animals and presentations. His dedication was recognized nationally when he received the Honorary American FFA Degree the same year our daughter was honored.
“In later years, we became active volunteers with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Steve was the first to sign up, the first to raise his hand, and first to do the tasks others didn’t. Steve embodies, in every sense, Service Above Self,” Trina Fowlkes said.
