Financial Aid Administrators Present Awards at
Annual Conference
Washington, D.C. - At its annual conference last month in New Orleans, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) presented its highest honors.
- The Honorable Howard P. "Buck" McKeon was honored with a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service as the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness. McKeon has authored legislation to support the student aid programs that make it possible for millions of Americans to obtain a postsecondary education. His vision and leadership helped secure passage of the 2003 interest rate legislation, which ensures continued stability in the federal student loan programs.
- The Honorable Tom Harkin, as the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations, received a Distinguished Service Award for being a long-time champion of funding for higher education. During his decade of service in the House of Representatives and his service in the Senate since 1984, he has worked diligently to increase funding for the federal Title IV student assistance programs, including his ongoing efforts which led to his amendment permitting the authority for the Pell Grant increase in FY 2002.
- Cruzita "Crusie" Lucero, director of financial aid at Northeast State Technical Community College in Tennessee, was recognized with a Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding achievement as National Chair of the Association from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002. During a year marked by national uncertainty and reassessment, she provided support and reassurance while unselfishly continuing to represent NASFAA throughout the nation with grace and sensitivity.
- Greg Woods, first Chief Operating Officer for Federal Student Aid - the federal government's first Performance Based Organization - was awarded a Statement of Appreciation. He has served with distinction in modernizing the U.S. Department of Education's student aid delivery system, thus improving service to students, schools, and financial partners throughout the nation.
- Jamie Merisotis, one of the leading researchers in financial aid, received the Robert P. Huff Golden Quill Award for his outstanding contributions to the literature on student financial aid. Merisotis founded the non-profit Institute for Higher Education Policy. This organization is dedicated to research and analysis of higher education policy at the programmatic, institutional, and governmental levels.
- Paul Phillips was presented with the Meritorious Achievement Award. Phillips has spent over three decades in the education field, with service at the state, regional, and national level. He has worked tirelessly throughout his career to advocate for students in their pursuit of higher education opportunities. Recently retired, Phillips and his wife are involved in an International Aids Project and have just returned from work in Uganda.
The following 6 individuals received NASFAA's State and Regional Leadership Award for their outstanding contributions at the state and regional levels:
- John Curtice, Assistance Vice Chancellor-Financial Aid and Enrollment Policy, the State University of New York System Administration, Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA)
- Laurie Wolf, Executive Dean of Student Services, Des Moines Area Community College, Midwestern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA)
- Robert Neas, Director of Financial Aid, North Dakota State University at Fargo, Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA)
- Joel Harrell, Vice President for Enrollment Services and Student Affairs, Clark Atlanta University, Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators(SASFAA)
- Michael Novak, Executive Director of Enrollment Services and Financial Aid, Southern Methodist University, Southwestern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SWASFAA)
- Ted Malone, Interim Director of Financial Aid, University of Alaska, Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA)
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