Message from the Past President
By Clyde Walker

One of my primary objectives during my term as President during 2007-08 was to work closely with then President-Elect, Jeff Gerkin, to help ensure that there would be a smooth transition when Jeff took over as President. That transition, now complete, was as seamless as possible, and this year, I look forward to working with Jeff in his role as President and with Marian Huffman in her role as President-Elect this year, as well as with the other members of the 2008-09 Executive Board in my role as Past President.

I am pleased to report that from a financial and budgetary perspective, during 2007-08, TASFAA expended less than we took in, and thus completed the fiscal year “in the black.” The attainment of this goal is due in large measure to the level of fiscal responsibility demonstrated by all members of the 2007-08 TASFAA Executive Board as they carried out their work for TASFAA during the year, and of course, to the sustained generosity of our donors and supporters throughout 2007-08.

One of my roles during 2008-09 will be to serve as Chair of the TASFAA Advisory Committee to TSAC. The purpose of this committee is to advise the TSAC Board on actions to be taken regarding the state’s scholarship, grant, loan and other programs. This is my third year to serve on this committee, and is the final year of my three-year term on the committee. Jeff Gerkin, TASFAA President, will be a member of this committee, serving his second year of a three-year term, and Marian Huffman, TASFAA President-Elect, will also serve on this committee in her first year of a three-year term. Also serving on the TASFAA Advisory Committee to TSAC this year will be: Cara Suhr, Tennessee Technology Center - Nashville (first year of a two-year term); Stephen White, Nashville State Technical Community College (first year of a two-year term); Lester McKenzie, Tennessee Technological university (first year of a two-year term); Jim Shannon, Christian Brothers University (second year of a two-year term); Joy Goldberg, Roane State Community College (second year of a two-year term); and Sean Johnson, Southern Adventist University (second year of a two year term). The 2008-09 TASFAA Advisory Committee to TSAC met for the first time via conference call on Thursday, August 7. The purpose of that meeting was for the committee to review and comment on the drafts of new rules for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program, the Tennessee Helping Heroes Program and the Tennessee Rural Health Scholarship Program

Another role in which I will serve TASFAA during 2008-09 will be that of Chair of the TASFAA Nominations and Elections Committee. As of this date, the construction of that committee is still a work-in-progress. I will also represent Tennessee on the SASFAA Nominations Committee during 2008-09.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve TASFAA as Past-President during 2008-09.