PEOPLE & PLACES IN THE NEWS

Richard E. Willey has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of American Education Services (AES).  Mr. Willey succeeds Michael H. Hershock, who retired in December 2002 after eight years of service as President and CEO to AES.

Mr. Willey joined AES in 2002 as Chief Operating Officer to directly manage internal operations, business ventures and outreach initiatives.  He brings with him 20 years of experience within Pennsylvania State government having served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania House Majority Appropriations Committee and principal advisor to the Speaker and Majority Leaders in legislative priorities and strategy. He also held the position of Executive Director of the Senate Minority Appropriations Committee and Senior Governmental Affairs Specialist for the law firm Stevens and Lee.

TG has hired a new National Sales Team Lead, Craig Berkely.  He replaces Michael Amaloo who previously held that position.  Craig will be at the spring VASFAA conference.

New at Regent University:  
Financial Aid Counselors: 
     Rebecca Bowlin as of January, 7, 2003
     Judy Marroquin as of March 17, 2003
Client Support Services Coordinator:  
     Fred Porter as of February 27, 2003

New at James Madison University:
Denise Meadows joined the staff of the Office of Financial Aid in the fall of 2002, replacing Kim Ringwald as the Job Location and Development Coordinator in the Student Work Experience Center.  She completed her undergrad work at JMU, and received her MEd from George Mason.  Prior to  joining the staff at JMU, Denise worked as Assistant Director of Career Services at UVA.  Plan on meeting Denise at the spring conference as she will be co-facilitating a training session on student employment.

Southern Virginia University Announces the departure of Debbie Haynes, former Assistant Director of Financial Aid with a New hire:  Hugh Bouchelle, Assistant Director of Financial Aid

George Mason University announces:  Karen Allen joined our staff as a new Assistant Director.  She was formerly at Northeastern University in Boston.

Old Dominion University announces:  Sharon D. Mason changed jobs from Direct Loans Specialist to Assistant University Scholarship Coordinator.

Personnel News from Virginia Tech....we are pleased to welcome new staff to the office:

Dawn Brown is new member of the Assistant Counseling staff and comes to our office from Food Lion. Dawn helps manage a busy front desk and phone system. She joined the staff in 2002.

Teresa Gallagher rejoins the staff as an Interim Associate Director for the systems side of the house and will assist as the office searches for a new systems Associate Director. The office is pleased to have Teresa back in the office and appreciates all her hard work and help with the transition to adding a new Associate Director for Systems for the office.

Marilynn King joins the Virginia Tech staff as the new Senior Associate Director for Client Services. Marilyn brings to the office a rich history of past financial aid experiences and contacts. Marilyn joined the VT family in 2002 and is a welcomed new addition to the office.

Donna Manns is a new counselor for the students and families. Donna comes from the Assistant Counseling staff unit and this new position was a promotion for her in the office. Donna has been a member of the staff since 2001.

Eric Shannon is a new member of the Data Processing Unit and joined the staff in 2002. Prior to his appointment, Eric was a wage employee for the office.

Some exciting news from the Office of Financial Aid at Virginia Tech:

Congratulations are in order for Stephanie Breeding and her husband Jerry, who welcome a new addition to their family, a baby girl, Sara McKenna.

The Financial Aid office was able to move into our new Student Services Building located on the corner of Washington Street across from McCommas Hall. This new building houses Financial Aid, Bursar and Student Accounts, Registrar, Parking Services, VT Telecommunications and the Hokie Passport office.

Washington and Lee University announces: 
Personnel News:  Jim Kaster has joined the Financial Aid Office at Washington and Lee University as Associate Director.  Previously he was Database Integrator in University Computing at W&L.

EDFUND announces:
The appointment of Tracy Hyde Shields as Assistant Vice President of lender relations and training

ECPI announces:
Loretta Pully is now Director of Financial Aid for the Innsbrook Campus of ECPI.

Chartway Bank:  Sally Crouch received a good report from her Cardiologist checkup on 02/14/03, it's been 6 months after her open-heart surgery and all is going well.  Best wishes to Sally!

ITT – Tech announces the promotion of Mary Tarafas to Financial Aid Administrator on 2/16/03.

VCU announces the marriage of Melissa Collum to Dale Wyatt on December 21, 2002.  She is now Melissa Collum Wyatt.

From the VASFAA Archives, Spring 1978

Well, it was spring 1978 and VASFAA was busy pulling together our eleventh annual Spring Conference.   The theme was “accountability” and it was being held from May 3rd through the 5^th at the Sheraton-Fredericksburg Motor Inn. Our president was Alvin Lomax, Director of Financial Aid at Norfolk State College.   The room rate for the Sheraton was $22 a night!!!

The Program Committee, chaired by Paige Johnson of Virginia State College, put together a comprehensive program that highlighted BEOG validation, “Student Consumerism” and Fiscal Responsibility.

The Membership Committee reported there were101 full members, 8 associate members and 3 life members.  There was a total membership of 112 representing 71 institutions.  This membership total was the biggest ever for VASFAA.

Dianne Smith (George Mason University) chaired the Secondary School Relations Committee.  She reported there were 10 workshops held and that 600 counselors attended.  The evaluations from the workshops rated them as “excellent”.  Dianne recognized the Regional Workshop Coordinators and their valuable participation.  They were Sharon Bob, Gene Caddie, Charlie Hill and Fletcher Stiers.

Buddy Johnston (Radford University), chair of the Nominating Committee, submitted the slate for VASFAA elections for the 79-80 year.  They were:

      Bill Miller (Old Dominion University) – President
      Ron Balance (ECPI) – President Elect
      Jean Smallwood (Virginia State College) – Secretary
      Bob Morrison (Tiewater CC) – Treasurer.

Ron Balance (ECPI) was the VAFSAA Treasurer.  The 1977-78 budget was $2,646.  The amount spent for the fall conference was $674 and $1,192 for the spring.  The treasury had a balance at year’s end of $2,513.35.

As you can see, VASFAA has always been a vital and productive association.

 -Holly Rison, VASFAA Archivist