Executive Board
Current NAACO Officers (2009-2010)
Executive Board
Left to Right: Sheelagh Atkinson, Linda Bekerian, Doug Bolin, Jane Smith, April Harris, Bonnie Van Buskirk, Teri Hansen
Jane Smith, President
Jane Smith, Associate Director of University Events at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
919-962-0045
jane_smith@unc.edu
Jane Smith is the Associate Director of University Events at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a campus with an enrollment of more than 28,000 students.
The Office of University Events manages approximately 240 events per year including the Chancellor's football and basketball entertaining, groundbreakings and building 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.
Smith received her Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Following graduation, she was employed with the Extension Service at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Smith has been in the area of event planning for eighteen years, having worked as both the Assistant Director and the Acting Director of Special Projects. Since 2002, she has been the Associate Director of University Events within the division of University Advancement. She is a graduate of the University Management Development Program, a charter member of the Greater Triangle Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) as well as a charter member of the North American Association of Commencement Officers (NAACO).
"Even after eighteen years of coordinating commencement, I continue to acquire new ideas when I attend the NAACO conferences. As president, I would like to expand our organization, to give leadership and experience to the association and to continue to provide resources to our members who are charged with planning Commencement on their respective campuses."
Douglas Bolin, Past President
Artistic Director and Director of Operations
Office of Relationship Management and University Events
The University of Texas at Austin
512-475-6060
dbuggie@mail.utexas.edu
For more than a decade, Doug has worked with his colleagues in UT's Office of Relationship Management and University 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).
April L. Harris, President-Elect
Associate Vice President for Advancement
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
256-824-6098
April.Harris@uah.edu
April L. Harris is Associate Vice President for Advancement at the University of Alabama in Huntsville responsible for ceremonies, major public events, and university protocol. She is the school’s former alumni director and has served as a member of the alumni, development, or public relations staffs at Bowling Green State University, Baylor College of Medicine, Utah State University, and the Huntsville Botanical Garden. She is author of four books including the CASE best sellers, Special Events: Planning For Success; Etiquette and Protocol A Guide for Campus Events; and Academic Ceremonies A Handbook of Traditions and Protocol. She is the recipient of the 2008 Council for Advancement of Support of Education Frank Ashmore Award for service to the advancement profession. She has also been recognized with a CASE Steuben Apple for teaching, and the CASE Warwick Award in Alumni Relations for Outstanding Published Scholarship. She is a former member of the CASE District III Board of Directors. She currently serves as a member of the CASE National Commission on Alumni Relations, is chair of the National Educational Alumni Trust, and president-elect of the North American Association of Commencement Officers.
Teri Hansen, Secretary
Office of the Registrar
Washington State University
509-335-2531
nelsont@wsu.edu
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.
Linda Bekerian, Treasurer
Commencement Operations Manager Northeastern University
617-373-2292
l.bekerian@neu.edu
Linda Bekerian, as Commencement Operations Manager at Northeastern University in Boston, is responsible for the development and execution of commencement and academic ceremonies. She coordinates all event logistics, supervises the management of all participants and staff; is responsible for related publications, communication and website information, diploma production and distribution. Working closely with the Registrar’s Office, Linda was instrumental in implementing an on-line commencement registration system in 2006 and currently plays a key role in its continued development.
Linda is responsible for the Commencement budget preparation and allocation. She negotiates contracts and proposals for ceremony related services and products; maintains accurate, detailed and updated records for review and reporting as needed.
Along with her 12+ years of commencement experience, Linda successfully chaired the 8th Annual NAACO Conference in 2008. She is ‘honored to be presented with another opportunity to serve NAACO and to work with a uniquely dedicated group of people.
Bonnie Van Buskirk, Director at Large
Administrative Officer, Office of the President
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
902-494-1225
bonnie.van.buskirk@dal.ca
Bonnie Van Buskirk has been a stalwart in the president’s office at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia for almost 20 years. During that time, she has held various positions and presently serves as the Administrative Officer. Working closely with the President, she oversees an eclectic abundance of duties and special projects which allows her to work with people from all corners of the university, as well as with members of the local, provincial, national and international communities. This is just one of the reasons that Convocation is a favorite part of her job.
“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.
Sheelagh Atkinson, Director at Large
Manager, Convocation and Special Projects, Office of University Events and Community Relations York University, Toronto, ON
416-736 2100 ext 77626
sheelagh@yorku.ca
Sheelagh Atkinson has worked at York University, Toronto for 21 years, and as the Manager, Convocation and Special Projects for the past six. York University is the 3rd largest university in Canada. During this time, she has overseen the centralization of convocation making it York’s signature event. During spring convocation York University confers over 6,000 degrees at 11+ ceremonies and another 3,000 degrees at five fall ceremonies.
Since becoming the Manager of Convocation, the portfolio has expanded to include a number of other important university events, including upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
Her role has also included work as part of the President’s Task Force on convocation, culminating in the recommendation to relocate York’s ceremonies in 2009. Her ongoing mandate is to enhance the student experience and this is reflected in her strong belief that convocation is the most important thing we do as a university.
Sheelagh has been a member of NAACO since 2004, has been involved with the Membership Committee for the past three years, and looks forward to serving as Director-at-Large, Membership on the NAACO executive board. Sheelagh considers the networking and friendships she has established through NAACO to be invaluable both professionally and personally.
|
HOME
SITE MAP
CONTACT INFO
