State Report from South Carolina
Nancy Garmroth, SCASFAA President

Vice President, Tabatha McAllister, and the professional development committee have done an exceptional job of coordinating training activities for the year. New Aid Officers training was held on September 26 and 27 in Columbia, S.C. NASFAA Decentralized training will also be held in Columbia on December 6. A leadership symposium geared toward directors and upper level management will be held on February 2, 2006. SCASFAA also entered into the partnership with NASFAA to promote LearnStudentAid.

The fall conference was held October 10 and 11 at the Embassy Suites Historic Charleston, S.C. The theme was “The Spirit of SCASFAA—Making a Difference”. Kim Jenerette, Terria Williams, Jackie Bell and the fall program committee did a great job! The Executive Board meeting preceded the conference on October 9. The budget was approved, several policy changes were approved and a donation to AASFAA and MASFAA for students and institutions affected by Hurricane Katrina was approved.

Membership in SCASFAA was up at the fall conference compared to the same time last year. Jeff Holliday, Member-at-Large, continues to promote membership benefits, and he developed a new membership brochure.

Nominations are being sought for the offices of President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and Member-at-Large. Betty Whalen chairs the nominations and elections committee. This committee will meet on December 13. Changes to the Bylaws will also be on the ballot. The recommendation is to change the reference from “audit” to “financial review”. This change in the policies & procedures has already been made.

Jeff Dennis and the counselor relations committee have already begun work on Paying for College Day to be held at three sites on February 18, 2006. SCASFAA partners with the S.C. Student Loan Corporation, which sponsors the event, to provide members who will work at the sites to provide financial aid information and to help with completion of the FAFSA. This committee is also reviewing the effectiveness of the high school guidance counselor summer internship program. Face the Facts, a publication for high school counselors, was published in November. Because of a vacancy in the Treasurer’s Office, Jeff Dennis was appointed to fill the remainder of the term. Regina Smith of the USC Trio Programs will replace Jeff as chair of the counselor relations committee.

Em McNair and the diversity committee worked with the fall program committee to sponsor a session on “Making a Difference One Student at a Time,” which was presented by Pat Woods of TG at the fall conference. A workshop on “Celebrating the Diversity of the Students We Serve” was held on November 3 in Columbia, S.C. Various speakers addressed topics such as non-traditional students, sexual orientation, Spanish speaking/migrant workers and scholarship opportunities available for students.

Tamy Garofano chairs the vendor/sponsor committee. This committee has done an exceptional job of securing sponsorships and worked diligently at the fall conference. Support is expected to exceed original budget projections.

The Executive Board agreed for South Carolina to host SASFAA in 2009 instead of 2010. Ron Gamble and Nancy Garmroth visited sites in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Dr. Ed Miller, who serves on the Executive Board as the peer support network liaison, will chair an ad hoc committee to review SCASFAA’s role in providing scholarships to students and/or members.

Katie Harrison, newsletter editor, published the fall edition of Palmetto Pages, which had to be expanded by 4 pages. Katie and her committee have done a great job!

SCASFAA is proud to have several members serving SASFAA and NASFAA. Those serving SASFAA include: Jackie Bell, Jeff Dennis, Bob Godfrey, Katie Harrison, Jeff Holliday, Cleo Martin, Keith Reeves, Chuck Sanders, Eddie Shannon, Glenn Shumpert, Betty Whalen, Bill Whitlock, Michelle Wright and Karen Woodfaulk. South Carolina is also represented at the national level. Bob Godfrey is the SASFAA region representative to the NASFAA Nominations and Elections Committee. He was elected two years ago and is completing his two-year commitment this year. Ellen Green has been appointed to the Leadership Development and Professional Advancement Committee for 2005-2006.

NASFAA’s 2005 State Award for Service to the Financial Aid Profession was presented to the membership at the fall conference. Also, Mr. William (Bill) M. Mackie, Jr., upon his retirement as President and CEO of the S.C. Student Loan Corporation, was presented the Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Mackie was appointed Executive Director of the S.C. Student Loan Corporation upon its inception in 1974. He has distinguished himself through selfless and committed leadership in South Carolina for 31 years. In 1996, Mr. Mackie was recognized for his tremendous service to the parents and students of S.C. and was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the State.

Bob Godfrey, Kim Jenerette, Betty Whalen and Keith Reeves attended NCASFAA’s fall conference in Charlotte, N.C. on November 7-9. This group is working on advance planning for the fall 2006 conference to be held with NCASFAA at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C. The next Executive Board meeting will be Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at the S.C. Student Loan Corporation.

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