After making all necessary baggage arrangements outgoing MASFAA president Tony Erwin put MASFAA’s Excursion on the Federal Express in high gear. In his welcoming remarks Tony thanked the nearly 130 in attendance and reviewed the agenda. Hosted by Northeastern University the event featured many interesting presentations:

• Mark Deckett and Matthew Wardle updated riders on the role and authority of the Department’s Inspector General’s Office.
  
  
• Thomas Threlkeld, Training Officers with the U. S. Department of Education, along with Tony Erwin, talked about the ins and outs of the TEACH Grant.
  
  
• Dr. Phillip Day, NASFAA president, gave an update and answered questions.
  
  
• Finally, Betsy Mayotte, Director of Privacy and Regulatory Compliance for American Student Assistance gave riders an update on Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 and Lender of Last Resort.

The excursion wasn’t all business as attendees enjoyed lunch and committee certificate presentations. In addition the Volunteer of the Year Awards were announced. Sheila Hoffstedt of Tufts University and Jonathan Wiersma of Campus Door were both honored for their excellent volunteer work in 2007-08. Sheila did wonderful work for the Graduate and Professional Concerns Committee while Jonathan did an outstanding job for Professional Development and Training.

Follow Sheila’s and Jonathan’s lead, volunteer for a MASFAA committee for the upcoming year!

Finally, Tony passed the gavel along to Kathy Osmond who will serve as MASFAA President for the next year.

When MASFAA’s Summer Excursion on the Federal Express returned to the station all agreed it was a journey worth taking!