On the death of Rotary founder Paul Harris in 1947, Rotarians contributed $1.3 million to The Rotary Foundation in his honor. With these donations the Foundation created the Scholarship program, its first significant international service program. Rotarians continue this tradition of honoring Rotary’s founder by making contributions to The Rotary Foundation. Each individual who contributes $1,000 - or in whose name $1,000 is contributed - upon request is designated a Paul Harris Fellow.

In January 1957, the Foundation formally launched Paul Harris Fellow recognition in memory of the founder of Rotary, and 12 individuals were recognized the first year. As contributions increased, so did the number of Paul Harris Fellows. It grew to 100,000 by 1984, and to 250,000 by 1989 when six persons, one from each of the six Rotary regions, were chosen to symbolize the quarter-millionth member. In October 1995, the number of Paul Harris Fellows surpassed the 500,000 mark.

By far the largest numbers of Paul Harris Fellows are Rotarians devoted to supporting the programs of The Rotary Foundation. A number of Rotary clubs also use this recognition as a way of honoring local, national or world leaders who have demonstrated commitment to the goals and purposes of the Foundation. A list of Paul Harris Fellows chosen at random is certain to include some well-known names - statesmen, scientists, artists, athletes and entertainers as well as the name of someone who has served holiday dinners for the homeless every year for 25 years or someone who has devoted a career to securing better housing for low-income residents of the community.

Derya Yalgin

A. Mesut Yurdal

Can Karatas

Mehmet S. Milli

Neruka Gurbuz

Lale Akalin

Erdem Gok

Asuman Sari

Oguz Demirsoy

Suphi Yilmaz

Ahmet Tanatmis

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