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Quick LinksWhat's NewRegister for the 2009 NAACO Conference The web site to register for the 2009 NAACO Conference, which will take place February 23-25, 2009in Nashville, Tennessee, is now available. Details can be found at on the 2009 Conference web page.... → Read more...
Call for Presentations - NAACO 2009 Annual Conference - Nashville Dear Colleagues,
Here's your chance to show your stuff and share your experience! NAACO is currently accepting proposals for educational sessions for the Ninth Annual Conference. Don't miss this opportunity... → Read more...
Current NAACO Officers (2008-2009)
Executive Board
You may also wish to see Corporate Board Members.
Artistic Director and Director of Operations For more than a decade, Doug has worked with his colleagues in UT's Office of Relationship Management and Univresity Events to build community and manage constituent relations through the production of a series of annual, university-wide programs. Programs include: a new student welcome know as "Gone to Texas;" the university's annual anniversary program "The University at 123" featuring faculty awards and the president's address on the state of the university; staff and student holiday programs "Longhorn Halloween" and "Orange Santa;" an open house for the citizens and school children of Texas, "Explore UT;" an academic honors ceremony, "Honors Day;" an annual memorial program, "UT Remembers;" and the culmination of the academic year, the university-wide commencement ceremony that concludes with a fully choreographed fireworks display. Special programs for this past year have included the inaugural celebration for UT's new president and a memorial service for former Texas Governor, Ann Richards. Each program has a unique graphic identity and some, such as Commencement, include a new annual "theme" to help amplify the messages of the central administration. As artistic director, Doug is responsible for strategic planning and creative elements integrated into each university event. Prior to moving to UT, Doug was a member of the voice faculty at Baylor University. He holds degrees in vocal performance from The Ohio State University (DMA), The University of Texas at Austin (MM), and a degree in music education from the University of Colorado in Boulder (BME).
Linda Wheeler, Executive Director of University Events at the University at Albany, State University of New York, has been involved in marketing, public relations, communications and event planning for 27 years. Her first experience planning commencement came as assistant to the dean of the Yale School of Organization and Management in 1985. She held various positions at Yale, including at the School of Organization and Management, the Office of public Information and The Yale Law School between 1979 and 1989. During that period, she also published several articles as a freelance writer and served as editor on a book about the 1980 oil crisis. Since moving to Albany, New York, in 1989, Linda has been director of publications and associate, respectively, at two local public relations firms; director of marketing and public relations for the School of Business at the University at Albany and then Director of Special Events and Director of Academic Events for UAlbany. She has been the University's Commencement Coordinator since December 2000. Linda is a founding member of NAACO, where she has served as director at large, chair of the nominations and elections committee and as a member of the conference committee and the site selection committee. She has also been vice president of the New York Capital Region chapter of the American Marketing Association and chair of its Roundtable Committee, president of the board of directors of the Albany County chapter of Literacy Volunteers of America, treasurer of the Historic Albany Foundation, and membership secretary of the South Schodack Volunteer Fire Company where she serves as a Lieutenant. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and is a 1994 graduate of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce's Capital Leadership program.  Jane Smith, President-Elect Jane Smith, Associate Director of University Events at The University of North Carolina at The Office of University Events manages over 240 events per year including the Chancellor’s football and basketball entertaining, groundbreakings and dedications, the meetings of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors, University Day, as well as development events each year. The university holds two Commencement ceremonies and a Doctoral Hooding ceremony, and awards degrees to about 6,900 students each year.
Teri Hansen has been employed by Washington State University for over 20 years. In 1997 she started with the Registrars Office serving as the Administrative Manager providing financial, administrative, and management support to the Registrar and Registrar's Office. She manages functions regarding budget planning, analysis, forecasting and reconciliation, travel, records management, property and forms inventory, payroll and personnel administration. Despite the fact that she had never even been to a graduation ceremony at the college, in the spring of 1998 she was "given" the logistical duties of the All University Commencement (which according to her boss at the time was only for graduate students and any undergraduate dumb enough to attend). In 2000, due to venue problems, the university decided to do away with the separate college run undergraduate ceremonies and combine the colleges for a true All University event and Teri was chosen as coordinator of this event. Now she independently plans and coordinates arrangements for all Washington State University commencement ceremonies (3 in the spring and 1 in the fall) along with her administrative duties in the Registrar's Office. Because of her experience with commencement ceremonies, she has just recently been appointed to the university convocation team working with the processionals, recessionals, scripts and stage party. Teri has been a member of NAACO since its beginning serving on the conference committee for 5 years.
Gloria Fox serves as Director, Commencement and Community Campaign, Office of Public Affairs, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She coordinates commencements, convocations, and other formal campus ceremonies, often working with school/college event managers. She manages the honorary degree nominations advisory committee and other nominations for special awards conferred by the chancellor. In addition, she directs the university's UMass Amherst Community Campaign, the program through which employees may contribute to charities. Gloria attributes her event management skills to years of volunteer activities in her community, including the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the public schools, several of her children's band and sports teams, and the town library. She chaired the construction of a community-built playground and three times served as chair for the Hands Across the Valley Quilters Guild's biennial shows. Past work experiences have included managing the Dermatology Department of Baylor College of Medicine Houston, serving as medical clinic coordinator and education liaison for United Cerebral Palsy Association in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and being a stenographer for the United State Air Force at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada. Gloria earned her BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Management.
Bonnie Van Buskirk, Administrative Officer, Office of the President, Dalhousie University,
Bonnie Van Buskirk has been a stalwart in the president’s office at “It’s a very fun, upbeat time at Dalhousie,” she says. “Everyone is so hopeful for the future. I can’t help but pick up the vibes, and feel rejuvenated.” Before coming to Dalhousie, Bonnie held positions in the private and non-profit sectors as well as with the federal and provincial governments. She has also been a member of various boards and volunteer organizations. From these experiences, she has gained professional insight with strong organizational and people skills.
Susan Durkee is a native Montrealer and considers her Concordia colleagues as her second family. As part of a strong team within the Office of the Registrar at Concordia University, Susan has been involved with convocation more than 25 years. Her involvement and responsibilities have evolved to the point that Susan is now responsible for the technical operations at convocation. Her current focus is on the redevelopment of the systems used at Concordia University with regards to the assessing and graduating of students. This encompasses everything from the capturing of students who intend to graduate right up to the production of the diplomas and the convocation booklet. Throughout her career her enjoyment for convocation has never diminished and she firmly believes that "Convocation should always be about the graduates and their families." Susan joined NAACO in 2006 and was a presenter at the Vancouver 2006 conference. With her colleagues she helped to organize and host the Regional NAACO Conference in Montreal in September 2006. She looks forwarded to being able to serve NAACO in the advancement of the organization. She is "absolutely thrilled" by the enthusiasm that this organization shows to its members and its focus on convocation/commencement issues.
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Douglas Bolin, President
Linda Wheeler, Past President
Teri Hansen, Secretary
Gloria Fox, Treasurer
Susan Durkee, Director at Large
