Hall of Fame - Patricia Tarpley

Patricia G. Tarpley Patricia Tarpley began her career in Financial Aid in 1969 when she became the Financial Aid Director at Del Mar College. Pat developed and organized the Office of Student Financial Aid at Del Mar College and served as its Director until she assumed the Financial Aid District Directorship for the Dallas County Community College District in 1979. From 1979 till 1990 Patricia was the icon after which other community colleges modeled and implemented their District Financial Aid system, which primarily served a multi-campus, multi-college environment. Her efforts were synonymous with the Dallas County Community College system known for its creativity and innovation in the delivery of student and financial aid services. Pat pioneered the District Directorship concept, which continues to serve as the model for many of the emerging Community College Districts not only throughout Texas, but also throughout the United States.

From 1990 till her retirement in 1996 she served as Director of Financial Aid at El Centro College. She totally gave of herself for the welfare of the student body through the strong development of scholarship and financial aid programs. After her retirement, she returned to the District on a part-time basis serving as the Interim Financial Aid Coordinator until her complete retirement in 2000.

Pat was very active in all of our Financial Aid Associations. Beginning in 1970 she served on the TASFAA Executive Committee three times, once as Recording Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and Board Member. She served on the SWASFAA Executive Committee as a member at large in 1972, and later as Corresponding Secretary, and then Secretary/Treasurer. She served on the on the NASFAA Certification Committee in the early 70's and later on the NASFAA Membership Committee. She was elected to the NASFAA Nominations and Elections Committee for 1990-91. Her other involvements included the HEW Regional Review Panel in 1972, 72, TGSLC School Advisory Board, Coordinating Board Advisory Committee and Hinson Hazelwood College Student Loan Advisory Committee.

For seventeen years she provided advice and judgement for The College Board in the development of financial aid policy. She was an active member of The College Scholarship Service Assembly and served on a number of committees including the CSS Regional Executive Committee for the Southwest Region as Vice Chairman and Chairman. Board included the Regional Executive Committee for the Southwest Region. Pat was privileged to serve on the CSS Ad Hoc Committee on Community College Concerns for its six years existence. In 1977, the U. S. Department of Education, NACUBO and NASFAA held their first joint training effort of Financial Aid Administrators and Business Office Personnel. Pat was one of the State's first trainers for the Basic Grant Training Project. Numerous other training opportunities followed including TASFAA's New Aid Officer Workshop in 1985.

Her contributions to Financial Aid throughout her twenty-nine years of service are well documented and evident by the careers of other Financial Aid Administrators she touched. Her commitment to excellence while ensuring the integrity of the programs and limiting obstacles in the student's pursuit of financial aid made her the ideal advocate for the delivery of Financial Aid programs.

Pat is remembered for her tireless service, dedication and long-term commitment to our profession. The tremendous impact she had on the lives of students and financial aid professionals will long be remembered and treasured.

Pat Tarpley's untiring dedication and enthusiasm to shape and strengthen institutional, state, and national financial aid programs, to encourage qualified students to pursue higher education and assist them in obtaining the needed financial resources to achieve their educational goal has been her hallmark and contribution to the student financial aid profession. She leaves a legacy for other Financial Aid Professionals to follow that can only symbolize and enhance what TASFAA represents to the State of Texas and its student