Hello MACRAO friends,
Thank you so very much for the wonderful sentiments, kind words and fun stories at our MACRAO dinner in Great Falls, and for the thoughtful gift certificate to my favorite restaurant. It is a bit surreal to think of a daily routine that doesn’t involve a trip to campus (hunting for a parking spot because I’m late again) and working with so many of you across our MACRAO organization on large & small issues. While I’m excited about the many projects and trips my husband and I have planned, there is poignant sense of loss when I consider that we won’t be in regular contact solving problems or insisting that those at OCHE hear our opinions/advice. You can’t get rid of me that easily, so be sure to look for me in the bar nearest to those wonderful MACRAO conference dinners!
It’s difficult to express my heartfelt appreciation for the support and encouragement that I have received over these past 34 years from MACRAO colleagues. So many times, I have reached out to individuals or the group for information, ideas, advice or simply to vent – and you never failed to provide that essential help and empathetic ear. Real friendships and camaraderie developed as we worked together to address national, regional, MUS and institutional issues. The expertise among this group is stellar, and your generosity in sharing that knowledge is extraordinary! The willingness to work together for a common good is what sets this group apart from all other higher education organizations, and you should take pride in that community. Students benefit from this approach, and with all other things considered, that’s the reason we’re here.
I have so many memories that include my MACRAO friends: the laughter and tears, the frazzled nerves & frayed tempers working thru CCN and FLOCs, travel to a conference in a raging blizzard, shared successes and train wrecks, profoundly professional and informative presentations -- and foremost, I will remember each of you with my deepest appreciation and respect.
Fondly,
Bonnie
Bonnie B. Ashley
Registrar
Montana State University
bashley@montana.edu
RESPECT ..... INTEGRITY ..... STUDENT SUCCESS ..... EXCELLENCE
