Every year the HEUG inducts at least one member to the Hall of Fame. These individuals are submitted by members and chosen based on four criteria. The criteria for individuals to be considered:
- Demonstrated leadership in important initiatives that advance the HEUG
- Outstanding service to HEUG Membership
- Respected as a professional by those inside the higher education industry
- Sustained contribution to the HEUG
This year we are pleased to have inducted three individuals for their service, contribution, leadership and respect in the higher education community. The inductees are as follows.
George Chrisman - In 1995, seven institutions began working together with a company called Campus Solutions to build a Student Administration System for PeopleSoft. Southern Methodist University (SMU) was one of these beta campuses and George Chrisman was the lead representative from SMU. George quickly became a vocal leader of the betas, never letting tact and diplomacy interfere with his communication to PeopleSoft executives. In December 1997 at a PeopleSoft Connect Conference, representatives from several universities using a variety of PeopleSoft applications met together to discuss the potential for a conference. It was decided at that meeting to hold the first HEUG conference in March of 1998 -- just three months later. George volunteered to have SMU host the conference in Dallas. He worked almost single-handedly to put together the conference at the Adams Mark Hotel -- expecting 400 attendees but attracting 750. The following year, George again organized the conference -- now expecting about 1000 attendees. Over 1,800 people showed up. However, George still had not had enough and once again volunteered to host the HEUG 2000 conference -- where nearly 2500 people attended.
Retiring seven years ago, George finds himself still busy volunteering as President of the Allen Texas Community Development Corporation and as a committee chair for Heroes on Water, through which he takes wounded war veterans on kayak fishing expeditions.
For his willingness to be a vocal leader while representing the early campuses using the Student Administration product, and for his commitment to organizing the first three conferences, the HEUG is very pleased to induct George Chrisman into the Hall of Fame
Doug Roberts - Doug has been another tireless volunteer with the HEUG. . For over 12 years, Doug served the HEUG in many capacities. He began as a volunteer on the Budget Product Advisory Group. After several years in that role, he was elected to the Board of Directors. Doug took over Treasurer duties near the end of his first term and continued in that role after being re-elected. As Treasurer, he developed nearly all of the financial policies and procedures we still follow today. He also worked internationally to set up the HEUG accounts in Australia. After about eight years and at the end of his second term, Doug went on to join the Alliance Conference Planning team. There, he served for four years in successive positions: as Assistant Conference Chair, Program Chair, 2011 Alliance Conference Chair in Denver, and Vendor Chair last year in Nashville. Although he has by now rotated off the Board, he still serves us as member of the HEUG Audit Committee and pitches in wherever needed to assist with miscellaneous conference projects. Doug’s total contribution over 12 years is unmatched by any other member. The HEUG is very pleased to honor him now with this induction into the Hall of Fame.
Ted Simpson - Ted, formerly of Maryland Institute College of Art (better known as MICA), joined the HEUG as a presidential appointment in 2008. He became Vice President External in 2009 and Executive Vice President in 2010 after winning election to the Board. Ted moved into the HEUG Presidential seat late in 2010 following the resignation of the previous President. During his two years as President, Ted engineered the HEUG’s successful global expansion, solidified the HEUG financial position, promoted the regional conference initiative, and worked on the foundation of the Executive Advisory Group. During this same time period, Ted completed MBA and MIS degrees from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School! And all this was done while being a dedicated husband and father of two small children. No individual has had a greater impact over such a short period of time than Ted has had in his term on the Board of Directors. The HEUG congratulates him on his induction into the Hall of Fame and wishes him well in his new position with io Consulting.
These inductees were honored at Alliance 2013 during the opening session.