By Kathleen Hatch
It’s hard for me to believe that the majority of NIRSA members will soon assemble together in Nashville for the 65th Annual NIRSA Conference! We will have every opportunity to harmonize our NIRSA values in what is tracking to be our largest conference EVER!
Given how much we all like numbers in our profession, I’ve decided to take the opportunity to share with you all the ones that have helped to shape my term as NIRSA President as well as those that will soon shape an extraordinary few days of professional development, networking, mentoring, opportunities to serve, move your body, and relax in an amazing setting of our first Gaylord conference…all among the backdrop of a city with great energy, music, and food!
| 1 | trip to the hospital; thank you again UMASS General for your hospitality and expertise! |
| 2 | pairs of runners purchased, given my need to find fresh air and find a solution to my luggage finding its way to a different location. |
| 3 | levels make up the historic Wildhorse Saloon warehouse that will feature our all conference social. The Wildhorse features the largest tv screen in music city, and annually serves over 3,000 gallons of BBQ sauce and 2 million pickle slices. Bring your boots and show off your two-step. |
| 4 | is the ranking given to Nashville by Forbes as a “Brain Magnet,” for its gains in people with college education (more than 30% of adults in Nashville region have a Bachelor’s degree or higher). |
| 5 | rides on a public city bike share: Parc du Mont-Royal in Montreal while on a break from our NIRSA Board year meetings with a few teammates; along the shore of Lake Ontario after the Campus Recreation Conference at the University of Toronto; over the Brooklyn Bridge and around lower-mid Manhattan in New York City while attending the Green Sports Alliance meeting; out to Harvard along the Charles River in Boston at a NIRSA/NACA Strategic Alliance meeting . . . and of course a few laps of Pullman on our own WSU BIXI bikes. |
| 6 | foot diameter circle that is center stage in the Grand Ole Opry House; this historic piece of ground was moved from the original Ryman Stage to give every performer a chance to stand on the legendary round. |
| 8 | delayed, diverted, or cancelled flights while travelling on behalf of NIRSA. |
| 9 | acres of lush indoor botanical gardens, serene waterways and cascading waterfalls at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The host hotel for NIRSA 2014 is also recognized as the largest non-casino hotel in the US; make sure you get in an early morning swim in one of the many pools to start your day on the right path! |
| 16 | different states and provinces visited in 2013-2014 while attending NIRSA meetings, or working with our external partners, alliances and advisory groups. |
| 19 | Board meetings and videoconference discussion sessions (not counting our three face-to-face meetings). |
| 21 | institutions of higher education in the greater Nashville area serve an estimated 100,000 students. |
| 85 | years “Opry” has been producing a live show every week—long enough to be recognized as America’s longest running radio show. |
| 100 | members and counting will participate in the 2014 Mark Fletcher Fun Run/Walk. No number is too many, so if you haven’t registered yet, be sure to sign up and to start your day celebrating the many contributions of our colleague and friend, Mark Fletcher, who will be celebrated posthumously as the 2014 Honor Award recipient at the closing banquet. |
| 132+ | registered golfers for 20th annual NIRSA Foundation Golf Tournament, all of whom will be raising good money for our NIRSA Foundation. Who needs extra mulligans? |
| 140+ | educational sessions. Which core competency will you focus on? Gather CEU’s for your Professional Registry initial or renewal application and demonstrate your commitment to life-long learning in the field. |
| 153+ | exhibitors ready to share resources and show off their new products, they’ll come ready to wow you with their range of services. |
| 158 | 68 scholarship or stipend winners will be at NIRSA 2014 and 90 awards will be given out in Nashville. Recognize and celebrate our talented NIRSA members. |
| 190 | miles of trails in Davidson County showcases Nashville’s high priority of linking open space and building greenway trails. |
| 200 | stores in the Opry Mills—Tennessee’s largest outlet and retail shopping mall—across the street from the Gaylord Opryland. |
| 334 | NIRSA members who will present, volunteer, and serve as hosts during our Annual Conference. Their dedication and service will make this a very special gathering. |
| 1779 | the year Nashville was settled on Christmas Day. |
| 2,500+ | Attendee registrations from over 560 institutions, including almost 600 first time attendees. |
As I close-in on the end of my term serving you, the Association, and our shared profession as NIRSA President, I am thankful for this extraordinary opportunity. I am humbled by the talent that flows through our Association and I find myself consistently inspired by our collective spirit and passion to impact students on all our campuses.
NIRSA President Kathleen Hatch shows off her NIRSA spirit and dedication to hard work.Photo courtesy of Shelly Hanks, WSU Photo Services.When I took up the gavel at the Honor Award banquet in Las Vegas, I dedicated this year to a special friend and long-time NIRSA member, admired from coast-to-coast, Jennifer de-Vries. Her memory has been the perfect compass to guide me. It’s really no coincidence that Jen’s birthday falls during our annual conference on April 23!
Through your energy and engagement, it has indeed been a magical year. I look forward to seeing many of you soon. We have much to celebrate and amazing things to look forward to in the years to come!
I am getting ready to complete my first, timed Spartan 300 Test (50 x pull ups; push-ups; box jumps; deadlifts; floor wipes; and one arm cleans) before we all gather together in Nashville—keep your fingers crossed I’m still upright at the start of the Opening General Session.
Kathleen
