Hall of Fame - Corky Swanson

Mary Evelyn "Corky" Swanson Mary Evelyn "Corky" Swanson worked in financial aid administration for a total of 25 years at McMurry University in Abilene, TX. She began as the NDSL Loan Clerk in 1972, advanced to Associate Director in 1973 and was promoted to Director of Financial Aid in 1977.

Corky was active in TASFAA throughout her career, chairing the Program (Fall Conference), Training, and High School Counselor Committees. She served as a member of the Public Relations, Hot Line, and Executive (Board of Directors) Committees. She participated in the establishment of the TASFAA Training Committee and creation of High School Counselor Training. Although officially retired from financial aid administration, she continued her involvement in High Counselor Training in the Abilene area. Corky also received an outstanding service award from TASFAA for her many years of dedication and commitment to the mission and vision of the Association.

The Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SWASFAA) also benefited from Corky's dedication to the financial aid profession. She served on the SWASFAA Board of Directors and as Chair of the SWASFAA Training Committee.

Due to her expertise in financial aid regulations, Corky was called upon to testify before the Texas Sunset Commission, the Committee for Higher Education of the Texas Legislature and at hearings for the Department of Education. She was a member of the ACT Financial Aid Advisory committee. She served on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Advisory Committee from 1979-1994. Upon her retirement in 1997, Corky received a citation from the Texas Legislature in recognition of her exceptional service as a financial aid administrator. Since 1992 She has served as a Committee Member of the Franklin Lindsay Student Aid Fund and plans to continue that service for many years.

Her commitment to training led her to be a trainer for the Department of Education in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1986. She was a trainer in the THECB Early Awareness Program in the 1980's, and a trainer in the Texas GEAR-UP Program. Corky participated as an advisor in NASFAA's on-line "Ask the Aid Advisor".

Corky is a legend in West Texas. She conducted 20-30 financial aid workshops per year for high school students and parents from 1977 to 1997. A conservative estimate is that she has driven 45,000 miles to bring financial aid information to counselors, parents, and students. She would travel 100 miles to do a workshop for a high school whether it had a graduating class of 15 or 600. Throughout her career, Corky unconditionally counseled and advised students and their families without regard for where they planned to attend school.

Corky worked in the financial aid trenches for 25 years. Her "day job" was directing a financial aid operation that never had a single negative finding in any program review or audit on her watch. Her nights and weekends were spent doing "volunteer" work training other financial aid professionals and counseling student and parents wherever she was needed. As a hard-working professional, she made a major contribution to financial aid administration in Texas. The financial aid training programs and training materials she developed in the 1970's continues to be a vital part of the delivery of financial assistance to Texas students.