Alan Donley Award
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Alan M. Donley Chair in Need Analysis Recognition
Synopsis of Winter 2004 Conference Award Comments
With the combined goal of having a bit of interesting fun and setting
the stage for a unique award, the December 9, 2004 OASFAA conference afternoon
general session was started by asking all able to rise. Based on years
in the financial aid industry, those present were then asked to sit back
down as their years of service were called. This process started with
those having five years or less in the industry, then ten, fifteen, twenty,
twenty-five and thirty. As the number still standing dwindled, it was
fun to observe the comments and exclamations from the crowd! After those
with thirty years or less in the industry were seated, the process then
broke down to one-year increments until, at year thirty-six, only Don
Chenelle, George Emery and Alan Donley remained on their feet. With Don
and George celebrating their 36th year, Al proved to be the longest tenured
person in the room currently participating in his 38th year in financial
aid. He received a lengthy round of applause for this achievement with
many commenting on what an enjoyable exercise this process proved to be.
As Mr. Donley sat down, the focus then turned to impact. First, all who
had ever attended a history or need analysis session that Al had conducted
were asked to stand. Close to fifty percent of the over 400 assembled
people rose! Given that Al started as financial aid director at Hiram
College in 1966, all those who were born in 1967 or thereafter were asked
to stand resulting in another significant percentage of those present.
It was noted that Mr. Donley and Mr. Chenelle were charter members of
OASFAA and to the best of current knowledge, the only two of this select
group still active in the association.
The OASFAA President for the 1972-73 academic year, Al Donley has always
been true to the need analysis roots of the financial aid industry certainly
at Hiram but also during his many years at the helm of his company, CSAS
Software. Even as the industry has evolved and the necessary functions
of his software changed, Al has made sure that the core centers around
need analysis and the true access and choice philosophies of our profession.
Noting that he has continued to be an active and participating member
of OASFAA throughout the years, comments were shared relative to the fatherly
and even grandfatherly relationships Al has with many of the younger association
members. In particular, Carmen Sears-Edwards and Kimberly Nash-Yore were
mentioned in this regard.
Because of the long history Al has with OASFAA and the continued proactive
way in which he participates, a decision was made to honor him in a new
and unique way. Just as many colleges and universities name an academic
chair in honor of a particular individual, OASFAA will henceforth recognize
the chair of its need analysis committee as, “The Alan M. Donley
Chair in Need Analysis”. Upon hearing this news, all assembled joined
in a standing ovation of some duration. Al was truly touched and appreciative
of the recognition and found, after being presented with a plaque honoring
the distinction, found that he was unable to speak. His customary smile
and wave served as a most appropriate symbol of his thanks.
Two copies of a plaque were prepared. The plaque is printed in a vertical
format with the OASFAA logo across the top and the following text beneath:
“In grateful recognition for 38 years of service and commitment,
OASFAA resolves that the Chair of the Need Analysis Committee shall henceforth
be known as THE ALAN M. DONLEY CHAIR IN NEED ANALYSIS. Effective December
8, 2004. Mark A. Bandre. 2004-2005 President.” One copy was given
to Al for his keeping with the second being presented to Scott Lehman,
the first holder of the Donley Chair. Scott was charged to maintain this
plaque and see that it was presented to the next Chair of this committee
and so forth over the years.
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