The 2012 NAACO Conference in Austin, Texas is just around the corner!
One of the wonderful things about the NAACO conferences is that everyone is so
willing to share with their colleagues. Whether...
Mentors Needed!!
Do you remember the excitement and anxiety of your first NAACO Conference? You didn’t know anyone, were probably in an unfamiliar city, and didn’t know where to turn? Then we are...
The 12th annual conference will take place February 6-8, 2012 in Austin, Texas.
Conference Registration is open and you are encouraged to register soon. Register online at: www.naaco.info. In addition...
Associate Vice President for Advancement The University of Alabama in Huntsville 256-824-6098
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 currently president of the North American Association of Commencement Officers.
Jane Smith, Past President
Jane Smith, Associate Director of University Events at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 919-962-0045
Jane Smithis 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, New Student Convocation, 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 over nineteen 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. In 2009, she was the recipient of the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award, an award that recognizes employees for exemplary service to the university.
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).
Douglas Bolin, President-Elect
Artistic Director and Director of Operations Office of Relationship Management and University Events The University of Texas at Austin 512-475-6060
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).
Linda Bekerian, Treasurer
Commencement Operations Manager Northeastern University 617-373-2292
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.
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 13+ 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, Secretary
Administrative Officer, Office of the President Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS 902-494-1225
Bonnie Van Buskirk is the Administrative Officer in the President’s Office at Dalhousie University. She is responsible for the management of the President’s Office as well as the development, production and execution of Dalhousie’s seventeen convocations and all presidential social events. She is also responsible for personnel development and works with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to assist senior administration in the fulfillment of the University’s goals.
Bonnie has served as Secretary to Big-Brother Big Sisters Association of Eastern Canada, past-chair of the Colchester County Day Care Association Transportation Committee, and she demonstrated her leadership skills at Dalhousie University as Committee Chair for Recruitment and Training for the Dalhousie United Way Campaign. She served as Dalhousie University Secretary to the Board of Governors where she assisted in board development and governance.
During the past two years, Bonnie served on the NAACO Executive Board as Director-at-Large for Regional Meetings and Site Selection. She brings a wealth of experience and a strong record of professional commitment to NAACO and the Executive Board. Her ability to build consensus and envision new directions for the Executive Board will be crucial in NAACO’s next ten years as we define our priorities and strategic direction.
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 Atkinson has worked at York University, Toronto for 22 years, and as the Manager, Convocation and Special Projects for the past seven. 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. 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 four years, and serves 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.
Lois Ferguson Director at Large
Assistant to the Office of the Provost for Commencement and Events Baylor University in Waco, Texas. 254-710-8534
Lois Ferguson has worked at Baylor for more than 21 years and has been responsible for university commencement ceremonies for 11 years. Baylor is the world's largest Baptist university and has three spring ceremonies, a summer ceremony and a winter ceremony, which Lois has full responsibility for and which walks 3000 students who have been certified as graduates. She also works with Baylor's Truett Seminary on their spring and winter ceremonies.
Lois is chair of the university's Public Exercises Committee and was co-chair of the 2006 presidential inauguration committee, with primary responsibility for the inauguration ceremony. All aspects of graduation look to Lois for guidance and decisions on everything from venue set-up to regalia. She maintains the commencement website and oversees the budget. Additionally, Lois works with the Facility, Planning and Construction Service department of the campus as a Facility Utilization Planner, using both her academic and facility knowledge to help locate usable space for all divisions of the university and allocate the space as appropriate.
In her years at Baylor, Lois has also worked in Public Relations, Student Life, the Dean's Office for the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Provost's Office, where she began her work with commencement. She chairs the University Moves Committee and is a regular speaker with new employee orientation.
Lois has been a session presenter at three NAACO conferences and assisted with the financial audit in 2009. In the fall of 2009, Lois and other commencement staff at Baylor hosted a highly successful NAACO regional conference. She is excited about serving on the NAACO Executive Board and extending her network of colleagues.
April L. Harris, President
Jane Smith, Past President
Douglas Bolin, President-Elect
Linda Bekerian, Treasurer
Sheelagh Atkinson, Director at Large
Lois Ferguson Director at Large
