Rotarians and guests gathered for the Rotary Club of Knoxville’s 2025 Peace Award Luncheon, where they were warmly welcomed by RCK President Chris Lambert. Steven Matijcio, Executive Director of the Knoxville Museum of Art and RCK member nominee, welcomed attendees to the Knoxville Museum of Art.
Peace Committee Chair and Rotarian Chad Turner explained the annual selection process for the Peace Award recipient. Each January, the Peace Committee—comprising committee members and past award honorees—reviews nominations submitted by Rotary Club members. Turner noted that this year’s recipient received unanimous support from both the committee and former award winners, a rare and powerful endorsement.
The 2025 Rotary Club of Knoxville Peace Award was presented to the Honorable Charles Cerny, Jr., Judge of the Knox County General Sessions Court. In his remarks, Judge Cerny reflected on his more than 25 years of service in the General Sessions Court and highlighted his extensive community involvement, including leadership in the Knox Recovery Court and participation in numerous expungement and fee waiver legal clinics.
During his acceptance speech, Judge Cerny addressed the challenges faced by individuals in the criminal justice system, noting that the majority are struggling with mental health or addiction, and “less than five percent are actually bad actors.” He emphasized the power of collaboration, stating, “We can’t do anything truly great alone,” and encouraged attendees to recognize the importance of teamwork and community in making meaningful change. Judge Cerny concluded by thanking the Peace Committee, the Rotary Club of Knoxville, and the many community partners who share in his mission of service.
Scribe: Tyler Janow
