NEACRAO news

President's Message

Annual Meeting Highlights a New Schedule

RCD - Remember Items for the Raffle!

Slate Announced by Nominations & Elections Committee

2004 Scholarship Recipients Announced

President's Message

RED SOX WIN! RED SOX WIN! RED SOX WIN!

I have wanted to start this newsletter with those words for the past two weeks. After the historic comeback against the Yankees, I didn't dare jinx this band of “idiots.” Meanwhile, Mary Meserve, our association editor, has been gently yet forcefully encouraging me to produce this president’s letter for the Fall Newsletter. Now that this wondrous 2004 baseball season is officially in the books…

RED SOX WIN! RED SOX WIN! RED SOX WIN!

The NEACRAO Annual Meeting is fast-approaching. In the spirit of the “never say die” Sox during the ALCS, it's not too late to join us for the festivities. We are meeting once again at the Boston Marriott in Quincy. (Home of the St. Louis Cardinals during Games 1 and 2.) It will be a great opportunity to enjoy some quality professional development right here in New England, home of the World Champion Boston Red Sox! (Not to mention the Superbowl Champion Patriots!)

There are so many incredible people who are responsible for putting the conference together. To all who have made this past year's service as president a rewarding and memorable one for me, a big THANK YOU! There are too many of you to name. I do want to say one special “Thanks” to Charlie Toomajian, who is finishing his tenure as most recent past president. Charlie’s professionalism and humor while serving as a mentor to me is something I will always be thankful for.

I hope to see you at the Annual Meeting, and I strongly encourage you to find a way to get involved with this great association!

Peace,

Walter

P.S. Did I mention that the Victory Parade will pass right by my new office windows?

Annual Meeting Highlights a New Schedule
The 2004 NEACRAO Annual Meeting features a new schedule to improve the flow of the meeting, give attendees more time between sessions and give the event a new kick-off! Following Reverse College Day on Wednesday, November 3rd, the Annual Meeting will commence with the Opening Session. Mark your calendars for 6:30pm on Wednesday. The Opening Session features a welcome from AACRAO by Joseph Roof, President-Elect, and the keynote address by Joseph DiMaria, former VIce-President for Student Affairs at the Community College of Rhode Island and former NEACRAO President. Following the Opening Session, everyone is invited to The President's Reception from 7:30 - 8:30. Join your colleagues for the start of the 57th Annual Meeting!

Reverse College Day - Remember Items for the Raffle!
For the past few years, one of the highlights of Reverse College Day has been the raffle at the RCD luncheon. This is a unique way to get your school name in the minds of Guidance Counselors from across New England. We are looking for any item that has your school's logo on it. T-shirts, mugs, pens, coolers, teddy bears, binders... we love it all! So head over to your bookstore, find a fun item and bring it to NEACRAO!

Slate Announced by Nominations and Elections Committee
The Nominations and Elections Committee has announced the nominees to the Executive Committee for 2005. The nominees are:

President-Elect - Donna Campbell, Teikyo Post University. Donna has been in higher education for 20 years and has been working as a registrar for 18 years. She has worked at 2- and 4-year private institutions and has helped to establish the Registrar's Office in two single-purpose institutions. Donna has been a member of NEACRAO since 1992, serving on the Enrollment Management Committee as a member and as chair. She also served as Program Co-Chair and currently holds the position of Secretary and has facilitated and presented at the NEACRAO Annual Meetings. Donna has been a member of AACRAO since 1994, serving on the Registration and Records Committee. She has twice been nominated for the Nominations and Elections Committee and has presented and facilitated at the AACRAO Annual Meetings. Donna holds a BS in Business and a MS in Administration and Supervision from Central Connecticut State University.

Secretary - Irene Russo - Community College of Rhode Island. Irene is the Technical Staff Assistant in Enrollment Services at CCRI and has worked there for 18 years. She first joined NEACRAO at the urging of three NEACRAO past-presidents from CCRI who encouraged her to get involved. Irene has served as Physical Arrangements Co-Chair for the last 10 years, has been a member since 1994 and has presented and facilitated for NEACRAO. She looks forward to serving the association in a new way.

Vice President Admissions/Enrollment Management - Patrick Dwyer - University of Massachusetts Boston. Patrick is the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He has been a member of NEACRAO for several years and currently serves as the Program Co-Chair for the Annual Meeting.

The 2004 Scholarship Recipients Announced!
Each year NEACRAO awards three $1,000 scholarships to students recommended by their guidance counselors. A scholarship is awarded to a student attending a member community college, a member public college or university and a member private college or university. There were 343 complete applications submitted.

The 2004 winners are:

Lauren J. Heaton, a graduate of Longmeadow High School in Longmeadow, MA. Lauren will be attending Springfield College in the fall and was recommended by Linda McPartland. Ms. Heaton expects to major in physical therapy. Being a National Honor Society member, three sport athlete, co-editor of the yearbook, volunteer at the Shriner's Hospital on Saturday mornings and the Nova Rehabilitation Center one day a week during the school year, are some of the things that keep Lauren busy!

Veronica Houston, a graduate of South Kingstown High School in Wakefield, RI. Veronica will be attending the Community College of Rhode Island in the fall as was recommended by Marcella Bennett. Ms. Houston expects to major in early education/child development. She will be the first in her family to attend college and her teachers say she will do an outstanding job. Veronica says, "I want to be the teacher that makes learning fun and exciting, a teacher a child will always remember."

Brandon Eric Libby, a graduate of Brewer High School in Brewer, ME. Brandon will be attending the University of Maine in the fall and was recommended by Timothy Hackett. Mr. Libby expects to follow a pre-medicine program. Having followed the most demanding curriculum at Brewer High, he completed his diploma requirements at the University of Maine. He earned his EMT license at the age of 16 and became a member of the Orrington Volunteer Ambulance Service, the University of Maine Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a volunteer firefighter of Orrington. Mr. Libby is also a three sport athlete. As his counselor pointed out – "Brandon Libby is the whole package."