Rookie of the Year
Karen Sanders
Karen is a dynamic young professional who has contributed to the growth and success of the Ethnic Diversity Committee in her first year of involvement with CASFAA. Because of her efforts the sponsorships for the EDC Professional Development workshops were greatly increased and adequate to cover the entire summer activity.
Karen will serve as the Ethnic Diversity Chair on the CASFAA 2001 Executive Council.
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Segmental Leadership Awards
CASFAA Segmental Leadership Awards are intended to honor distinguished colleagues in each of the five segments and a member who works primarily with graduate and professional students. These awards recognize the individual's outstanding leadership in the segment, CASFAA, or the financial aid profession in general.
California Community Colleges
Susan Jones, Mt. San Antonio College
Susan has worked in the Financial Aid Office at Mt. San Antonio College for more than twenty years. She has served the community colleges in many ways, serving and chairing various committees in California Community Colleges Student Financial Aid Administrators Association (CCCSFAAA). She has chaired the Conference and the Scholarship Committee, to name a few. Also, Susan has served as Regional representative with CCCSFAAA and the California Community College Chancellor's Office. She ha developed some very innovative programs at Mt. SAC and is always willing to share these with her colleagues. She is currently working on a special task force for the Cal Works Program. Susan has worked behind the scenes for many years, but her work has benefited all of the California community colleges.
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California State University
Jessica Schutte, CSU Fullerton
Over the years, Jessica has been involved in many CASFAA activities, including Newsletter Development, Ethnic Diversity, Executive Council, Mini-Conferences and more. Currently, she is working to establish a Speakers Bureau to assist conference and workshop planners in finding speakers. Jessica was also at the forefront of a new adventure last year, JOLT-THE-VOLT. It seems like everyone knows Jessica. She is personable and generous with her time and talents. She demonstrates her leadership by sharing her knowledge and experience with her colleagues, accepting challenges, and encouraging others to accept challenges. Jessica will serve as the CASFAA 20001 CSU Segmental Representative.
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University of California
Nancy Coolidge
Nancy's electronic clipping service is an invaluable tool for CASFAA members. Many of us depend on her succinct up-to-the-minute summaries of relevant legislation and political discussions. She has her eye on many sources of information and her ability to analyze and synthesize makes our jobs easier. Nancy has served CASFAA in various capacities over the years, including Segmental Representative on the Executive Council, and presenting at numerous conference and workshop sessions. Nancy has worked tirelessly to serve the needs of her colleagues in her own segment, as well as all CASFAA and WASFAA organization members.
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Independent Colleges & Universities
Andrea Kramer, Saint Mary's College of California
Andrea served as Independent Colleges & Universities Segmental Representative on the 1999 CASFAA Executive Council and has continued on the CASFAA 2000 Executive Council as Training Coordinator. She is a strong advocate for the Independent institutions, voicing their concerns and issues. Also, she has the ability to focus in on discussion topics and bring clarity to controversial issues. Her calm and rationale demeanor keeps many Executive Council conversations on track to a timely conclusion.
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Proprietary
Kathleen Clough, Silicon Valley College
Andrea served as Independent Colleges & Universities Segmental Representative on the 1999 CASFAA Executive Council and has continued on the CASFAA 2000 Executive Council as Training Coordinator. She is a strong advocate for the Independent institutions, voicing their concerns and issues. Also, she has the ability to focus in on discussion topics and bring clarity to controversial issues. Her calm and rationale demeanor keeps many Executive Council conversations on track to a timely conclusion.
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Graduate/Professional
Peggy Crawford, Chapman University School of Law
As Director of Financial Aid at Chapman University School of Law, Peggy Crawford is a Financial Aid Administrator who has served the Financial Aid Community for a number of years. A CASFAA member since 1995, this team member is always willing to do what is needed - be it "take charge" or just "pitch in". Her tireless efforts in coordinating and facilitating the Southern Do-Talk Training Workshop, as well as her "take charge" efforts on behalf of the "planning particulars" for the December Forum, have been instrumental in assuring successful events.
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Special Recognition
Cindy Bogue and Deborah Berry, McGeorge School of Law
Cindy Bogue and Deborah Berry at the McGeorge School of Law have done a superior job keeping everyone "in touch" and informed. Communication is imperative to Association business, and Cindy and Deborah have made sure that the database is maintained to provide accurate mailing labels and reports. If you have ever observed the continual comings and goings of colleagues around the state you can appreciate the challenges that Cindy and Deborah face trying to keep records, directories, and labels up to date. Cindy took over the chairmanship of Membership in 1998 and will continue to serve in that position in 2001. Deborah has been working on the annual Membership Directory since 1998.
When anyone asks for labels or statistics or any information about the membership, Cindy responds immediately. Deborah has helped design, format and publish the Directory through changes from FileMaker to Access, and anyone who has gone through any kind of software transition knows the challenges and frustrations. Cindy and Deborah, thank you for all your hard work on our behalf.
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John Anderson, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
In his first year of a two-year term as CASFAA Treasurer, John has worked tirelessly to establish an accounting system that provides comprehensive and timely reports to the Executive Council and provides each project chair the ability to track expenditures and balances. He has promised and delivered timely turn around in payment of bills and reimbursement requests. He has devoted many hours to researching and bringing forward recommendations for investing funds to maximize earning potential while at the same time assuring that sufficient funds are available for current expenses. He has continually sought ways to improve services provided by the Treasurer, including a recommendation that CASFAA add the position of Treasurer-Elect. Above all, he has brought order, security, and integrity to the CASFAA Treasurer's Office. No one knows exactly how many hours John has devoted to this very important function, but his work demonstrates his enormous commitment to the organization and his colleagues.
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Creative Leadership
Cheryl Foster, Azusa Pacific University
Cheryl has been involved with the High School Relations Project for the past four years, first as a member and then taking over as Chair in 2000. This Project relies on the collaboration and cooperation of CASFAA, EdFund, and The Commission. Cheryl exhibits a quiet effective leadership in this Project. She is a strong advocate for high school counselors in designing workshop content and materials that will meet their needs. Her calm, persuasive, respectful demeanor guides and shapes the work of this project and the professional development of project members. Her experience provides meaningful instruction for high school counselors and financial aid colleagues.
The High School Relations Project is nearing completion on the High School Relations Website and the Financial Aid Night Network. Cheryl has continually exhibited her creative leadership through innovation, organizational skills, commitment to CASFAA, concern for getting the financial aid message to growing families, and support to professionals providing outreach.
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Meritorious Service
Toni DuBois, Long Beach City College
Who will ever forget Toni's weekly journal entries that she shared on the CASFAA listserv during her Presidential year in 1999? If you've ever played Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego you were well prepared with atlas in hand to track Toni's whereabouts. The little personal tidbits were great clues. Seriously, Toni's concern for each member of the Association has been reflected in her personal messages, finding new ways to involve more members in Association activities, creating new opportunities for training and many other contributions.
Toni's energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to serve seem boundless. She agreed to serve as CASFAA President-elect in her year as CCCSFAAA past-president and as CASFAA past-president agreed to chair the WASFAA Conference and continue to chair the Summer Mini-Conferences she created. Toni designed and initiated the Summer Mini-Conferences in 1999 to bring training opportunities to those members who could not attend the larger far-away conferences. The CASFAA 2000 Executive Council recognizes and applauds the meritorious service that Toni provides to the members through her vision and determination that implement her care and concern.
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Addalou Davis, McGeorge School of Law
What would any of us do without Addalou? She has served CASFAA and the profession faithfully for many years since 1972. She has been involved in many committees in CASFAA and WASFAA. CASFAA benefited from her leadership as President in 1998 when she introduced the idea of transforming a stagnant committee structure into smaller vibrant projects allowing greater volunteer participation. Addalou has served on the Executive Council for many years and is a continually inspiring cheerleader. Her enthusiasm, support of new professionals, and sage advice keep the Association growing and moving forward.
This year Addalou served as Chair of Fund Development. This is a very challenging and extremely important job. Without the contributions raised by the Fund Development committee the organization would not be able to sponsor all of the training opportunities available to members each year. Addalou not only met the fundraising goals established by the CASFAA 2000 Executive Council, but she exceeded them by almost doubling the goal. Addalou we salute you and we thank you!
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Distinguished Service
Steve Herndon, CSU Bakersfield
Steve has been in the financial aid business for more than twenty years and has been an active leader in CASFAA and WASFAA. He was President of CASFAA in 1996 and has served in various roles on the Executive Council since that time. He is a respected advisor upon whom the current CASFAA President and Executive Council depend for advice and institutional memory. He has served on the WASFAA Executive Council, The Commission's Policy and Operation Advisory Committee. and has presented sessions at CASFAA, WASFAA, and College Board conferences and workshops. He has served on community and corporate scholarship committees and authored articles on student access, choice, retention, minority student transfer and financial aid administration.
Steve's influence is far-reaching and he has not only distinguished himself, but our association and profession with his care, thoughtfulness, and wisdom.
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Special Congratulations
Dallas Martin, NASFAA
The CASFAA 2000 Executive Council wishes to extend special congratulations to Dallas Martin on thirty years of service to the financial aid profession. Dallas has spent twenty-five of those years serving NASFAA and in that time has rarely missed a CASFAA conference. As a rule he attends only regional conferences, although he has made an exception almost annually to attend the CASFAA conferences and provide valuable informational updates. Congratulations, Dallas, on this professional milestone.
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Lifetime Membership
Ursula Kaiser
Ursula's service to the profession has spanned decades. Her financial aid career began in 1976 at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Earlier this year she made the decision to leave financial aid to pursue other career interests, but we know that financial aid will never be far from her heart.
Over the years Ursula has provided leadership in CASFAA, WASFAA, and NASFAA. She has been a member of and chaired many CASFAA Committees. She served on the CASFAA Executive Council as Secretary, Treasurer and, in 1997, as President of CASFAA. She was asked to serve as Liaison to the Executive Council representing the Training and Professional Development committees. Ursula has presented and moderated CASFAA Conference sessions. As CASFAA President she served on the WASFAA Executive Council and she has participated in NASFAA committees and conferences, trained for the Access Group, has been active in the Graduate Management Admission Council and served on the Graduate and Professional Financial Aid Service western regional committee. Ursula is respected in many professional circles. We are very proud of her and wish her well in her new adventure.
It is with great pleasure that we award her our highest honor: Lifetime Membership.
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President's Award
David Levy, California Institute of Technology
Georgette DeVeres, Claremont McKenna College
For many years David and Georgette have made significant contributions and provided leadership to the Association and the profession, often behind the scenes. But the CASFAA President has the opportunity to observe the contributions that are made daily without fanfare or public notice. This year David and Georgette agreed to team up and bring to the membership a Conference that recognized and honored the significance of transitioning from one century to the next and the transformations that occur as an organization matures.
There is no way to measure the number of hours, the sweat, or the anxiety that these two individuals have devoted to the success of this conference and the Association. Their energy, creativity, enthusiasm, and hard work are phenomenal. Among the new challenges taken up by the Conference Committee this year was the need to bring the Conference Registration and Fund Development Committees into a new era of web payments. The success of their efforts is before us today. We have a record number of conference registrations and fund development contributions.
This award is made in recognition of exceptional dedication, commitment and support to the President.
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Committee of the Year
Web Registration/Credit Card Subcommittee of the Conference
Project Chair:
Ann Klein, UC San Diego
Project Members:
Michael Alexander, Possibilities in Paradise
John Anderson, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Tony Ashe, UC San Diego
Addalou Davis, McGeorge School of Law
Georgette DeVeres, Claremont McKenna College
Toni DuBois, Long Beach City College
David Levy, Caltech
Tina Mata, UC San Diego
The success of Conference Registrations and Fund Development has been enhanced by the development of a web-based credit card payment process. This Project, led by Ann Klein, persevered through the many questions, seeming obstacles, timidities, and technical challenges to help transform Conference Registration into a contemporary process that provides increased service to all CASFAA members and our lender partners who support our many activities through fund development. Much time and effort went into figuring out what it would take to accomplish the goal, how to do it, and then to complete the mission.
Great job!
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