2002 Summer Institute
by Brenda Sebastian
On June 7, 2002, we marked the conclusion of the 21st annual Rocky Mountain Summer Institute! Colorado College was invaded by 220 participants, presenters, instructors and committee members for the 21st Annual Rocky Mountain Summer Institute from May 31st - June 7th. Every state in the RMASFAA region was represented as well as attendees from New Mexico, Iowa, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Minnesota, California, Wisconsin, Arizona, Missouri and Pennsylvania.
 We offered training tracks for Professional Development and Leadership, Student Loan Professionals, Intervanced and Neophyte as well as hosting the NASFAA Best Practices Symposium in conjunction with Summer Institute for the very first time this year. When reviewing the Biographies of our committee, instructors, presenters and facilitators for this year's Summer Institute, the outstanding talent that was gathered for this one event amazed me. RMASFAA is fortunate to be able to attract this caliber of individuals. Our Summer Institute has national reputation as a leader in financial aid training and this year was no exception!
Our Mystery Torch Runner revealed his identity at the Opening Ceremonies. Thank you to Charlie Bruce, NASFAA Chair Elect, for volunteering to carry our virtual Summer Institute torch through all eight RMASFAA states. His entertaining speech which highlighting his eight-month run delighted us all!
 During the daytime, training was the number one priority of Summer Institute but during evenings we had many fun activities. These activities including an intense Olympic competition of Summer Institute games (congratulations to our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners!), "The Mystic Maji," the magician, who dared to try and decapitate our beloved Jim Swanson, one evening shuttles were organized to the Citadel Mall and a few people were brave enough to indulge in a competitive game of Broomball, everyone enjoyed a fabulous tour of Seven Falls and Garden of the Gods followed by a feast of pizza at a local favorite, Beau Jo's! We wrapped our Olympic theme week with a heartfelt speech by Bob Foth, Olympic Silver Medallist in Air Rifle.
This year was the last year that Summer Institute will be held at Colorado College. We had a celebration to honor the Colorado College Financial Aid and Conference Services staffs during SI. I would like to share with you an excerpt from our last Summer Institute newsletter.
 The Swany Song
Jimbo, Jimani, Swany, and James this particular man has many names.
He has been our site chair for 6 long/short years. Leaving CC now will bring some tears.
He isn't going far, and we will see him shine, for as our RMASFAA President he will do fine.
You've given so much to us all from the heart, that we'll take a piece of CC with us as we depart.
What can we say as we leave here today,
Thank you Jim Swanson for leading the way.
 I owe a great debt to the very talented people who served on my committee, who taught in the Neophyte track and who presented sessions during the week. Most importantly, I want to thank the participants who attended Summer Institute this year. Hope you enjoyed the week. If you did not join us this year or if you plan to return next year, remember to mark your calendars and set aside budget dollars for Summer Institute 2003 at Regis University, Denver, Colorado!
|
|
