SWASFAA Delegate Report
By Raul H. Lerma, University of Texas at El Paso

As the outgoing Delegate-at-Large to SWASFAA, I would like to thank TASFAA for the opportunity to have served in this capacity for the last two years. I have met and made new friends in the region from which I have learned much and come to understand that we are different, yet so much alike. The financial aid “family” indeed does not recognize any borders. Special thanks also go to Jacqueline LaChapelle from Louisiana State University at Eunice for a great year. I want to sincerely wish my successor Lyn Wheeler from Angelo State University and incoming SWASFAA President, David Page from Philander Smith College in Arkansas, the very best.

SWASFAA held its annual conference in Austin Texas from December 12th - 14th. SWASFAA’s “Boot Camp” was held prior to the conference with approximately 90 attendees. Over 315 persons attended the conference whose theme was Dream Weavers: Weaving the Dreams of Today and Tomorrow! Vince Papale, the Philadelphia football player who is the inspiration for the Disney movie “Invincible”, was our featured speaker at the opening general session. It was also very nice to hear Dallas Martin speak on the following day. He will be missed. The conference program was packed with many relevant interest sessions ranging from “Ethics and Developing your Preferred Lender List” to the latest on the new ACG & SMART Grant rules. Thank you, Louise Strauser, Conference Chair, and Santa Garza, Local Arrangements, and your crews for a great conference. The 2008 conference will be in Little Rock, Arkansas in December.

With all the new challenges our profession will be facing in the upcoming years, it is now more important than ever to be aware of what our colleagues are doing and using their knowledge and experience to help us handle these challenges. In unity there is strength, therefore, I encourage everyone to please consider volunteering for SWASFAA committees and join SWASFAA if your institution is currently not a member. Please visit the web site at www.swasfaa.org for more information on how you can help.

Again, thank you SWASFAA and TASFAA.