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Home ― News ― Osborn honored by professional organization

Osborn honored by professional organization

November 16, 2017

Joyce Kepford (left), Laura Osborn, Kathy CalliesLaura Osborn, assistant registrar at Dakota State University, has been named the UMACRAO Exemplary New Member.

UMACRAO is the Upper Midwest Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, a non-profit, professional association. The new member award honors an individual who has been a group member for less than five years, and has made an exceptional or unique contribution to the organization and demonstrates promise as a future UMACRAO leader.

Osborn was nominated for the honor by two fellow professionals, DSU’s registrar Kathy Callies, and Joyce Kepford, registrar at South Dakota State University. Both offered high praise for Osborn.

In addition to the extraordinary way she fulfills her job duties at DSU, Callies wrote in her nomination letter that Osborn has also provided support to UMACRAO by serving on the hospitality committee, co-presenting at the UMACRAO 2016 convention, and working with Kepford on fundraising projects for the organization’s national convention in 2016.

“Laura continues to take on projects such as implementation of a Board of Regents transcription project, and currently serves as a key resource in the migration to a new student information system in the state,” Callies wrote. “These projects are examples of Laura’s talent of working with her colleagues and serving as an excellent resource in return.”

“Her support and contributions to her work at DSU, and to this professional organization represent her commitment to the profession and to higher education in general,” Callies stated.

Kepford has worked with Osborn on UMACRAO committees, and Board of Regents projects.

“She doesn’t hesitate to volunteer to contribute in whatever way help is need. She offers relevant and helpful perspectives and articulates clearly and in a manner that is professional and collaborative,” Kepford wrote in her nomination letter.

“I am honored to have been nominated for this award and recognized by Kathy, Joyce, and other leaders in the field,” said Osborn. “Attending the UMACRAO conference each year has been a great experience to learn and discuss best practices with others in the region. I look forward to future involvement in the years to come.”

The new member award is one of four awarded by UMACRAO at their annual conference, held this year from Nov. 1–3. Other awards include the Exemplary Service Award, the Honorary Life Membership and the Staff Support Award. UMACRAO members represent over 100 higher education institutions in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northwestern Ontario.