GSU Financial Aid staff selected for Barr Professional Development Award

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Glenville State University Financial Aid Office has been selected to receive the 2026 Pete and Betsy Barr Professional Development Award.

The award, which was first established in 2010 by former GSU President and First Lady Dr. Peter and Betsy Barr, is rotated annually between Glenville State faculty and staff and must be used within eighteen months of being awarded. The award is designed primarily for the recipient to further their professional growth; however, the awardee can use the money to further their particular area of interest in traditional professional development activities.

As the recipient of this award, the Financial Aid office will send three of their staff members to the 2026 National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Conference in National Harbor, MD in June. The NASFAA Conference will provide invaluable professional development opportunities.

“Our department being chosen as a recipient of the Barr Award is an honor,” said Financial Aid Director Stephany Amos. “The training provided at the NASFAA Conference will strengthen our knowledge and skills in the ever-changing financial aid landscape. This opportunity directly supports our students and the University’s mission by ensuring we remain informed and up-to-date on best practices, regulations, and emerging trends. It also allows us to maintain compliance and protect the University’s integrity, while providing accurate and timely guidance to our students and their families,” she added.

Previous recipients of the Barr Award have included: Dr. Sara Sawyer (2010), Amanda Frymier (2011), Cheryl Fleming McKinney, CPA (2012), Denise Ellyson (2013), Dr. Megan Gibbons (2014), Sports Medicine Staff (2015), Dennis Wemm (2016), Dustin Crutchfield (2017), Dr. Jeff Bryson (2020), Kristen Cosner (2021), Dr. Mark Sarver (2022), Bridget Carr (2024) and Dr. Dwight Heaster (2025).

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The next Barr Award will be presented in 2027 to a selected faculty applicant. A committee reviews all applications and selects the awardee.

For more information about the Pete and Betsy Barr Professional Development Award, contact Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of GSU Foundation David Hutchinson at David.Hutchinson@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6381.

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