Capt. Carlo Salter, U.S. Army, who is serving his country at Camp Stone, Herat, Afghanistan, received notification from the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation this week that he has been selected to receive a 2012 Rotary Peace Fellowship.

As part of the Rotary Peace Centers for International Studies, Salter will be in the Peace and Conflict Program at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. There have been only three previous successful candidates from this district in the past.

Shane English, Southern Pines Rotarian and vice president of Four Oaks Bank, in Southern Pines, was part of the selection committee that chose Carlo Salter for this prestigious fellowship. Serving as a mentor, English was there for Salter during the long application process, his visit to the Southern Pines Rotary Club and the sponsoring Rotary District No. 7690, and has corresponded with Salter during his deployment to Afghanistan.

Carol Haney was president of the Southern Pines Rotary Club when the journey to nominate Salter began. She sent him an email of congratulations this week

"Thank you for your kind words," Salter replied by email. " I hope that I can represent the club well and do justice to it and the district. The news still has not really sunk in with me, so I hope to be able to start processing my application to the University of Queensland. Once again, thank you for supporting me and believing in me."

Rotary Peace Fellows are leaders promoting national and international cooperation, peace and the successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers, and through service activities. They are chosen from countries and cultures around the globe based on their ability to have a significant, positive impact on world peace and conflict resolution.

The Peace Center Programs support the Rotary Foundation mission of improving health, supporting education, and alleviating poverty by advancing research, inspiring cultural tolerance, providing advanced educational opportunities, and a means to effectively promote world understanding and peace.

Salter's fellowship will provide up to two years of funding for graduate study and the opportunity to begin a lifelong journey with the Rotary International.

The Southern Pines Rotary Club meets every Friday for lunch at the Mid Pines Country Club in Southern Pines. Visit www.southernpinesrotary. org for more information.