Congratulations to the 2001 Award Winners!
announced by CASFAA President Connie Barton at the 2001 Conference, December 15-18, 2001

The CASFAA 2001 Executive Council announced this year's award recipients at the annual conference in December. Our profession and association have been enriched and sustained by many individuals willing to share their experience, talents and time. Nominations received by the Executive Council from the membership were reviewed for accomplishments and the quality of contributions made in the spirit of our organization goals. I would like to congratulate and personally thank all of the nominees. The job of the Executive Council was not an easy one in that the number of awards to be given did not match the number of stellar contributions made by all of the nominees.

Through CASFAA, we make many connections. These awardees have connected to us through their work on CASFAA committees, projects, activities, and behind the scenes talents that make our organization the professional one that we have the privilege of being a member.

I want to thank the many that have contributed this year. Our organization is built upon volunteers connecting with volunteers and future volunteers. These building blocks of professionalism have created a tangible monument to the goals of our organization, the spirit of our membership, and the end to which we all strive - professionalism and service.

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
John Muskavitch, Crafton Hills College
John has been active in CASFAA for many years and has served on various committees, including the Conference Committee. He has been involved with CCCSFAAA, serving as Conference Chair, Regional Representative and on numerous committees. He is currently serving as the Community College Representative to California Student Aid Commission Loan Advisory Council.
Back to top

California State University
Lili Vidal, CSU - Northridge
Lili has been an outstanding leadership at California State University Northridge. Her staff and coworkers are very appreciative of her professional and dedication to the financial aid profession. She is a source of bountiful knowledge and she credits her information of CASFAA. Lili has been an active member of CASFAA and in her role has established herself a resource for many other universities. Always willing to lend a helping hand, her commitment to students can be described as admirable. An active leader in the Young Black Scholars and American Indian Students, she is recognized as a caring and dedicated person which all who know her appreciate.
Back to top

University of California
Carrie Sterre-Salazar, UC - San Francisco
Carrie has been active in CASFAA for many years. For the past several years, she has served as the CASFAA representative on the California Student Aid Commission Loan Advisory expertise have been appreciated by all who know her.
Back to top

Proprietary
Karen Grumm, EdFund
Karen has been tireless in her service to the Proprietary Segment. She has been on the Proprietary Issues Committee for many years. She has given her energy to proprietary issues and tirelessly worked with the segment. Her sense of humor and knowledge, as well as her unending energy and willingness to lend a hand, have made her a valuable asset.
Back to top

Graduate/Professional
Mary E. Robinson, Samuel Merritt College
For over 20 years, Mary has been the Director of Financial Aid at Samuel Merritt and has been tireless in her efforts for students. She has been active in CASFAA with the Graduate and Professional Issues Committee and served as a Segmental Representative. She has assisted with the "Do Talk" Shops and GP Forum. Her professional manner and willingness to assist where needed have made her a resource to call upon.
Back to top

Special Recognition
Denny Gambill, The Gambill Company
As an organization, we focus our attentions to the training of our members. The December conference has played a vital role in training, connecting with our colleagues and bringing professionalism to our association. Denny has served our Association for many years on the Conference Committee and has been involved with Long Range Planning. He faithfully attended each and every conference of our Association for the past 30 years. To acknowledge his dedication and desire to serve the Association, special recognition is given.
Back to top

Creative Leadership
Ann Klein, UC - San Diego
Ann has taken as active leadership role in the development and implementation of the CASFAA Conference web registration process. Through the development of this process, she has also been able to provide the Executive Council and Conference Committee with productive data, including the ability of conference attendees to provide on-line evaluation and an up-to-date email database.
Back to top

Meritorious Service
Cindy Bogue, McGeorge School of Law
Cindy has been the steward of the Association's asset, our membership. She has maintained the records of members and provided the labels for membership mailings. She has developed the membership database to provide quick access and information when needed. Cindy took over the chairmanship of Membership in 1998 and has continued to maintain our information accurately. She coordinates the information for our annual directory and continues to serve the organization.
Back to top

Distinguished Service
Tim Bonnel, California Student Aid Commission
Tim has contributed to CASFAA through distinguished service. He is being recognized as one who is always willing to be a presenter for CASFAA Training, and has been a valuable contributor to our mini-conferences and our annual December conference. Tim has served in a vital role in working with the proprietary segment validating the certification process for their workshops.
Back to top

Youlanda Copeland-Morgan, Harvey Mudd College
Youlanda has contributed to CASFAA through distinguished service for the past 21 years. She has served as Vice President, Chair of Fiscal Planning, Fund Development, Minority Issues, Federal Issues and a member of the Student Scholarship committee. Yolanda has also been active in our regional associations, WASFAA and NASFAA.
Back to top

Lifetime Membership
George Urdzik
George has been an active CASFAA member for many years. He has served on the State Issues, Federal Issues, and Site Selection Committees. He has chaired and served on the Conference Committee and initiated the famous CASFAA Fun Run. He has served as a CSU Segmental Representative, and CASFAA's representative to the California Student Aid Commission for the Grant Advisory Committee.
Back to top

Diane Ryan
Diane has served the financial aid profession for over 25 years. She has been a leader in the CSU system. She has been a presenter at workshops and conferences. She has served on the Board of EdFund and Chela and provided school-based perspectives as an initial sponsor and prime coordinator of the ELM process.
Back to top

Paul Phillips
Paul has a distinguished career in student financial aid and has devoted significant time and energy to CASFAA. He has served CASFAA as a CSU Segmental Representative, Chair of the Reauthorization Task Force, Conference Committee member and served as CASFAA President in 1983. He has been a tireless student advocate. In addition to CASFAA, he has also served our regional and national associations, WASFAA and NASFAA.

It is with great pleasure that we award him our highest honor: Lifetime Membership.
Back to top

Committee of the Year
CASFAA Mini-Conferences
Project Co-Chairs:
      Paul Rodriguez, EDFUND
      Craig Yamamoto, Sierra College
Project Members:
      Tim Bonnel, CSAC
      Elizabeth Carter, California Culinary Institute
      Nicole Goreham, American Express Educational Loans
      Carolyn Guel, Palmer College of Chiropractic West
      Christina Linton, Simpson College
      Katy Maloney, UC Davis
      Lydia Turner, Long Beach City College
Paul and Craig chaired the CASFAA Mini-Conference this year. They provided a unique format, "Who Moved the Cheese." The theme was coordinated through training from advertisement through program and follow up. Attendees learned how to manage change in our professional lives.

Great job!
Back to top