Awards: Recipients 2003
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Creative Leadership
Tim Bonnel, CA Community Colleges Chancellor’s
Office
One of the joys of serving on CASFAA’s Executive Council is that
you get to work with so many imaginative individuals with so many innovative
ideas. It has been CASFAA’s good fortune to have such people,
for they are the lifeblood of an evolving association.
Anyone who knows the person I will next introduce, would tell you that
this individual wrote the book on being innovative. Never have I met
someone with so many fresh ideas and suggestions. And rarely have I
met anyone with the level of energy that this person possesses. The
net result of this combination has been a never-ending series of ideas
and suggestions to better serve the CASFAA membership.
You may recall a very popular workshop series that CASFAA sponsored
earlier this year. I’m referring to the 1040 Review Training Workshop,
presented by Jim Briggs. A number of you went out of your way to tell
me what an extremely successful series this was. Well, this series was
the brainchild of a person who is known and loved by many, many people
in California’s financial aid community…a person who always
gives a hundred plus percent of his time and energy and always adds
something unique to everything he does.
Please join me in congratulating this year’s winner of CASFAA’s
Creative Leadership award, Tim Bonnel.
The plaque says: “In appreciation and gratitude of your commitment,
dedication, and support of this year’s 1040 Review Training Workshop.”
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Meritorious Service
Mindy Bergeron, JFK University
This individual has done a remarkable job of assembling and chairing
a model committee that has greatly expanded CASFAA’s visibility
and influence on the national level. I am referring, of course, to this
year’s Federal Issues Committee Chair, Mindy Bergeron.
Mindy has shown us that, given the right blend of commitment, dedication,
and guidance, it is indeed possible to bring together all of the segments
and move forward on mutual financial aid issues. It takes a special
individual to accomplish this…one who respects the views of others
and has a way to bringing those differing views into a single focus.
So it is with great pleasure that I present you with this year’s
Meritorious Service award. The plaque reads: “With deepest appreciation
and gratitude in recognition of exceptional dedication, commitment,
and support of CASFAA.” Congratulations Mindy!
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Distinguished Service
Jerry Sims, Retired/Deceased
We in CASFAA have had the good fortune to have with us a very special
person – a person who has shown himself to be not only an exceptional
leader but an exceptional individual who has touched so many of us in
so many ways. His name is Jerry Sims, and I am sure I speak for all
of us when I say that his recent passing brings a great sense of loss…the
loss of someone who was at once a friend, an advisor, a colleague, and
a tireless CASFAA leader and supporter.
It’s difficult to believe that someone as vivacious as Jerry
could be gone. He had an enormous amount of energy and invested much
of that energy in financial aid community activities, most notably WASFAA
and CASFAA. He was, in fact, the last word on volunteerism. Those of
us who knew Jerry remember him as a thoughtful person who enjoyed both
family and friends and lived life to the fullest. He never hesitated
to speak his mind, but he always did so in a gentlemanly manner.
For all his accomplishments, including his WASFAA Presidency, his service
on the CASFAA Executive Council, and his many years of service on the
CASFAA Conference Committee, Jerry was a remarkably modest individual,
who was every bit as comfortable operating behind the scenes as he was
being on the scene. He gave so much to CASFAA. We will all miss him.
Please join me in a moment of silence in Jerry’s memory.
On behalf of CASFAA, I am pleased to present the Distinguished Service
award for Jerry Sims. The plaque reads: “With deepest gratitude
and appreciation in recognition of exceptional dedication, commitment,
and support of CASFAA.”
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Los Angeles Mayor’s Office
During this past year, a number of our CASFAA members volunteered their
time and service to participate in a special outreach event initiated
by the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office. Through this event, called “Free
Cash for College” event, over 12,000 students and families were
able to attend a series of financial aid outreach sessions and receive
individual assistance in applying for financial aid.
The event was an enormous success, but it would not have been possible
without the commitment and support of the Los Angeles Mayor’s
Office. The Los Angeles Mayor’s Office not only demonstrated great
vision in initiating this outreach event but also demonstrated an extraordinary
level of commitment in promoting and supporting the event. The Mayor
himself, Jim Hahn, showed his personal commitment by appearing on stage
to encourage students to pursue higher education.
It gives me great pleasure to present the Los Angeles Mayor’s
Office with CASFAA’s Distinguished Service award. The plaque reads:
“In appreciation and gratitude of your commitment, dedication,
and support to financial aid outreach and this year’s Free
Cash for College event.
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Pat Hurley, Glendale Community College
Few people have done as much to educate and represent the financial
aid community on financial aid issues as this individual. She is an
acknowledged expert on state and federal financial aid policies and
has worked tirelessly to ensure that the California financial aid community
has a thorough understanding of the issues affecting its students.
This individual is currently participating on the NASFAA Reauthorization
task force, as well as CCCSFAAA and CASFAA reauthorization and federal
issues committees, and has done an outstanding job of representing financial
aid issues for students and schools in all segments of higher education
in California. She has been very affective in helping California colleges
work with NASFAA and the Education Department to represent the interest
of their students. I am speaking of none other than Pat Hurley.
I am most pleased to present CASFAA’s Distinguished Service award
to Pat. The plaque reads: “In appreciation and gratitude for your
commitment, dedication, and support of this year’s Federal Issues
Committee.”
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Honorary Lifetime Membership
CASFAA is an association that relies entirely on the participation of
its members to carry out its business. Over the years, many fine individuals
have volunteered their time and services to this association, and for
that we should all be grateful. But some CASFAA members have provided
services beyond what anyone could reasonably expect from them. The two
individuals I am about to announce are just such CASFAA members.
Donna Palmer, Loyola Marymount
The first person I would like to announce is one of the most respected
financial aid figures in the nation. It is seldom that we see leaders
of such character and ability. This person has served in numerous capacities
for a wide range of financial aid bodies, including CASFAA, WASFAA,
NASFAA, the College Board, AICCU, and the California Student Aid Commission.
Many of you will remember this person as an expert financial aid trainer
who possesses not only the technical knowledge needed but also the unique
ability to convey complex financial aid issues in the simplest of terms.
Part of that skill comes from this person’s thoughtful approach
to training and sincere desire to understand others’ needs and
perspectives.
While this person may have recently retired, there is no question that
she will continue as a financial aid advocate and will long be remembered
by the financial aid community. I ask you to join me in congratulating
Donna Palmer as a recipient of perhaps CASFAA’s highest honor,
the Lifetime Membership award.
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John Anderson, Cal Poly - San Luis
Obispo
The other person I would like to acknowledge is known throughout California,
and indeed the entire western region and the nation as one of our most
capable and dedicated financial aid leaders. He has spent year upon
year serving not only CASFAA, but also WASFAA and NASFAA, and has always
done so with the utmost attention to excellence. His integrity and his
clear sense of vision have made him a valuable part of CASFAA, and for
that we owe him our heartfelt gratitude.
Some of you may remember this individual as one of CASFAA’s most
talented fiscal advisors, who has a particular flair for figures and
has provided both CASFAA and WASFAA with much-needed guidance on their
growing investment portfolios. Others may remember him for his unabashed,
yet ever-so-constructive candor. He is a true leader and respected colleague.
He is now enjoying a well-deserved rest, as he recently retired as
a financial aid director from what he enjoys referring to as “THE”
Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo. Please join me in congratulating John Anderson
as the recipient of CASFAA’s Lifetime Membership award.
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Rookie of the Year
Rita Fellows, San Joaquin Delta College
I know I speak for others when I say this. One of the greatest experiences
that I’ve enjoyed as CASFAA President is seeing new people become
involved in CASFAA’s activities. It’s comforting to see
a continuing flow of active CASFAA participants.
The person I am about to introduce hadn’t really been active
in CASFAA before this year, but showed no hesitation in coming to CASFAA’s
aid when we needed her. With virtually no advanced notice, she agreed
to assume the role of CASFAA’s Website Jobslink Coordinator, when
we suddenly lost our prior coordinator. Just as she was beginning to
master this role, she agreed to assume a greater role as CASFAA’s
Interim Webmaster. And just days ago, she agreed to assume the role
of permanent CASFAA Webmaster.
This person is every financial aid office’s dream - a down-to-earth,
intelligible, financial aid expert with a penchant for computer technology!
Fortunately for me, she happens to work in my financial aid office.
Please join me in congratulating Rita Fellows as CASFAA’s Rookie
of the Year.”
The plaque reads: “In appreciation and gratitude for your commitment
and support of the CASFAA Website Jobslink.”
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Committee of the Year
Federal Issues Committee
Before I announce this year’s Committee of the Year award, I would
just like to thank all of CASFAA’s committees for the wonderful
jobs they’ve done. They have all worked very hard and deserve
to be recognized for their efforts.
One committee, however, did an especially fine job this year. This
committee, which consists of some of the brightest minds in our association,
worked tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that CASFAA had a voice
in the decisions that affect all of us in California.
This year’s Committee of the Year award goes to the Federal Issues
Committee.
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Mindy Bergeron
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Tim Bonnel
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Sandy Clark
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Nancy Coolidge
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Lisa Fuller
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Geri Hatten
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Pat Hurley
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Chris Jennings
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Meredith Kelley
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Linda Michalowski
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David Morgan
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Sandy Ninemire
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Mary Robinson
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Tami Sato
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Earl Dowling
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Please give them all a round of applause.
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