Welcome to the Spring issue of the VASFAA Voice - the third issue of 0506. I’ll begin today with a quote by Aristotle. It is one that I’ve used as a Financial Aid Director in years past and that Mary Neal, Randolph Macon College, brought back to mind in a recent email.

As you continue preparations for your Fall class, perhaps you will be energized, even a little, to know that the ancient Greeks may have had our profession in mind when teaching in early collegial settings. Your WORK is extremely important, of that you should know; and your interaction with colleagues in learning environments serves to enhance your ability to both learn and expand your knowledge for improving your efforts. Hence, the conference issue of the VASFAA Voice has arrived to entice your participation in our annual event. By all accounts, many of you don’t need encouragement—the hotels are filling up quickly. For everyone else, don’t forget that this is your annual opportunity to learn from your colleagues. Those of us who have been around the longest can guide you by our previous and many mistakes. Anyone who claims never to have made a mistake or to know enough not to attend might be avoided lest you too not know when you make mistakes.

This issue includes a conference update, an election update with candidate statements and pictures, and focus articles on four VASFAA members. In addition, we have a report of a special award for retired VASFAA members and our ever-dependable Archives article on our past activities. I hope that it meets your needs as you prepare for the next big event—the VASFAA conference.

Thank you to everyone for your good wishes on behalf of my wife’s recovery. We have been blessed by good friends, family and professional colleagues. Linda is managing the treatments well and working her way to recovery—she is halfway through her chemotherapy program. She is a prime example of a picture of good health one day and just terrible the next. It unfortunately could happen to anyone no matter how good you feel. We wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Our best wishes to all of you for good health for a lifetime.

The Newsletter Committee is still seeking a willing participant from the Private Career School sector to join our committee. If you are interested, please contact me directly at 301-942-9525 or via my email address below.

The next issue of the newsletter is scheduled for publication on July 1st. Please send your input by June 1st to me at gary.a.spoales@bankofamerica.com.

Advertising is now a part of the Sponsorship program. Thank you once again to everyone who provided material for this newsletter. The entire association appreciates your efforts. As always, this issue’s contributors are listed at the end of the newsletter.

---

Article Guidelines
The Editorial staff will review all articles submitted for publication. Submissions should be of a professional interest to the association and not include marketing and/or advertising of products, services, websites or personnel.

Full articles should be no longer than two typed pages single spaced. It is requested that all submissions be provided in 10 pt size with Arial font type to save our publishing editor time and energy.

AD and Picture Guidelines
The online newsletter flows best with graphics submitted in .jpeg or .gif format. An ad should not be larger than 6'' in width. You may submit it in either full color or black & white according to your preference.

(Note: Ads are only accepted from Sponsors who chose an ad in the issue of their choice, based on availability.)