South Dakota

Citibank Student Loan Corporation is pleased to announce that Jeff Fritz has joined us as Regional Manager for our Midwest Region (ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, WS, IA, & AR). Beth Zachary, who has been with Citibank for several years, is now working with schools in Arkansas and Kansas, while Rebecca Hedrick, who previously worked with schools in Kansas and Missouri, will be concentrating on Missouri travel.

Dakota Wesleyan University is happy to announce that Kristy O'Kief is the new Manager of Student Financial Aid. She was previously the Director of Financial Aid at Si Tanka University in Huron. She replaces Wilma Hjellum who has accepted a position as Director of Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs at Illinois Central College. Wilma said that her new e mail address is whjellum@icc.edu. She will be at NASFAA this summer and hopes to see some RMASFAA folks then.

Montana

Anna Kruse, who has worked in the financial aid office at Salish Kootenai College for almost 20 years has retired. She retired April 1st. Sandra Boham has been hired in her place.

From Marti Pearce at Carroll College:

We can't believe Amber is marrying someone from the financial aid industry.
Who knew a bus trip to Golden, Colorado would turn out to be so dreamy.
Jamie & Amber learned more than financial aid 101 at the Summer Institute.
Just look at the two of them now, don't they look cute?
Carroll College walked Amber Hemry down the isle.
MGSLP stood on the alter with Jamie Dushin in style.
The new couple enjoyed a honeymoon on the West Coast.
We're all so proud, we have to boast.
Amber returned to the office to certify a Stafford Loan
accepted on the initial award letter.
She shipped it off to Jamie at the Montana Guranteed Student Loan Program,
What Financial Aid union could be better?

Kris Dramstad retired from MSU Northern in March and Cindy Small has been promoted to the Director.Alice Ryan will retire in June from Montana Tech of the University of Montana.

Tressa Johnson has accepted the Administrative Assistant I position in the Financial Aid Office at Montana Tech. She has been our student employee for almost five years and we are very excited to have hired her. Tressa has lots of experience and enthusiasm for the Financial Aid Profession and will obtain her Business & Information Technology degree from Montana Tech on May 14, 2005. She joins our staff on May 16.

Nebraska
(following from Kathy McConnell)

During the spring NeASFAA conference in Kearney, both fun and prestigious awards were presented. New parents: Mark Schilmoeller, Steve Carper, Carol Rapstine, Carissa White, Heather Doe, Sunni Harper, Angela Beckenhauer, Matt Johnson. If we missed anyone or if any of these individuals did not receive their piggy bank, please contact me at kmcconnell@asapubt.com.

Additionally, the new grandparents were Margie Harris and Kathy McConnell. We have our first great grandparent, Shirley Dohring.

Cheri Clark was awarded the "Parental Mentoring" award,Shareen Cundall the "Shoe Hog" award and Steve Millnitz the "Jacob Marley" award.

Our 2004 Rookie of the Year was Sarah Smith; Committee of the Year was Communications (Peggy Tvrdy, Wendy Olson, Paula Kohles, Steve Millnitz, Mark Wiederspan, Stacey Musil and Melinda Hogeland).

The Bob Minturn Award will be presented at the Fall Conference as the selectee was not in attendance at this conference. Thanks to all members of the Award Committee for their hard work during this "difficult" year. It's hard to give out awards with no nominations!! The Award Committee members were Steve Carper, Dale Brown, Wendy Olson, Lisa Gdowski, Margie Harris and the lady who bore the brunt of my absence from the last days of the conference and my forgetfulness, Susan Fordyma.

Kansas
(by Elaine Henrie, Emporia State University)

At the Spring 2005 KASFAA conference, two fantastic women were honored for their contribution to the financial aid profession.

Janet Emch received the Hall of Fame Award and Marion Jones was presented the Outstanding Service Award. The following are excerpts from their nominations that really sum up why they were selected:

Janet Emch
We think if you looked up financial aid in the dictionary, you would find that Janet is not only the definition but she helped write the dictionary as well. During her 30 years plus in the financial aid profession, she has quietly gone about helping students and families put their financial aid houses in order. Her attention to detail and willingness to actually read the federal regulations has set the bar high for all in our office. She uses her knowledge to help find solutions and to keep us in compliance. We dread the day she decides to close the Financial Aid Handbook for the last time.

Marion Jones
As Chair of the College Goal Sunday Committee, Marion has once again shown her dedication to this committee, to KASFAA, and to students and families. She has served as site coordinator, Co-Chair and Chair. She led this committee project to a resounding success while still giving her 110% to Emporia State University. The best thing Marion does when faced with extra responsibility is to keep smiling. She does not “get her knickers in a twist” – she just does what it takes. (Marion’s committee shared the Committee of the Year honors with the Electronic Resources Committee.)

News flash! Our campus also recognized Marion for her good work, as she was chosen as the Classified Employee of the Year at the May 3rd service awards ceremony. Part of the eligibility criteria is service and her work with KASFAA certainly fits right in.

Coming to work each day is just that much better with people like this on the team.

Each of you have coworkers who would also be worthy of being honored by your respective state conferences. Take the time to nominate them. It certainly made me stop and reflect about what a void I would feel without their efforts.

Utah

Utah’s annual UASFAA conference held April 20-22 in spectacular St. George. The warm weather and Dixie-style hospitality were truly appreciated by all who attended. At the conference, attendees were able to mix and mingle with a few former Financial Aid Administrators who were invited to the conference dinner. Each former administrator told of a humorous or moving experience they had during their years in Financial Aid that brightened the whole conference. It was a pleasure to visit with each.

Deb Tarpley represented the Department of Education. We always appreciate the helpful attitude with DOE information.

It was announced that Teri Stevens from Davis - ATC is the UASFAA President-elect for 2006. Congratulations Teri!!

Several Utah State institutions are currently undertaking the huge task of converting to SCT Sungard System (Banner). We have been able to discuss issues and ideas as we are building our various institutional systems. It’s great to have colleagues to help gather information and support during this critical time.