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NCURA Spring Meeting 2005
Chicago, IL
2005


Meeting Summary

Dive In! to Research Administration (Front Page Article Summer 2005 Issue)

SRA Midwest Section and NCURA Region IV members and guests took the plunge in Chicago with over 470 attendees. The joint spring meeting was organized by Frances DeVos (SRA) and Heather Offhaus (NCURA).

On Sunday evening, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University rolled out the red carpet to welcome everyone. They hosted a five-star reception and dinner, capped by a tour of their newly finished research building. Special thanks to organizers Steven Rosen, Tim Volpe, Sharon
Markman, and Janis Linn.

Dr. Jeanette Thomas, biology professor and internationally recognized mammalogist, took us to her underwater world as the keynote speaker. Dr. Thomas—Western Illinois University’s 2005 Distinguished Faculty—researches the effects of human-generated noise on marine mammals.

Newcomers were welcomed with an orientation presented by Membership Co-Chairs René Hearns (SRA) and Jackie Hinton (NCURA). Following the nautical theme, newcomers were encouraged to explore the bountiful seas of SRA and NCURA.

Attendees said that Dave Mineo, Chief Grants Management Officer and
William Etti, Grants Management Specialist (NIH/DHHS) should win an award for the most presentations. Thanks to you both!

Those who attended dinner groups had tough choices to make. Applause to Crystal Taylor-Nevils for providing an enticing list of Chicago restaurants. Special thanks also to Hospitality Co-Chairs Debbie Meltzer (NCURA) and Kathy DeWitt, (SRA). Participants were so enthusiastic, that the Hospitality Suite had to be moved to a larger room! Attendees also enjoyed an amazing evening at the Shedd Aquarium. We observed Beluga Whales; a tidal pool teaming with sea urchins and other magical creatures; and watched a diver hand-feed fish in the Caribbean Reef.

Successful meetings don’t just happen. Thanks to the talents of member volunteers, we made new friends, shared fun stories, and learned a little more about the field of grants administration. We returned to our offices ready to dive in because our experiences raised energy levels and gave us a renewed sense of the importance of our work. That’s what the best professional meetings achieve.

Thanks again to Frances and Heather for their leadership in planning and implementing the meeting. Thanks also to the workshop, concurrent session, and roundtable discussion leaders as well as those myriad of behind-the-scenes volunteers. Chicago—you’re our kind of town!

—Jackie Hinton, Region IV Newsletter Editor
Southwest Missouri State University