Allan W. Purdy Distinguished Service Award
The Allan W. Purdy Distinguished Service Award is one of the highest awards that NASFAA bestows. It may be awarded either for significant contributions in the furtherance of NASFAA's goals over a sustained period of time, or for a single contribution of such momentous importance as to deserve the award. An award recipient may come from the financial aid, political, educational, business, or other community.
2024 Allan W. Purdy Distinguished Service Award Winners
Helen Faith, Director of Student Financial Aid, University of Wisconsin - Madison and NASFAA’s 2023-24 National Chair
Helen Faith, FAAC®, is the director of student financial aid at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has 22 years of financial aid and higher education experience, and has previously worked at Lane Community College, the University of Western States, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland State University, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. She earned her bachelor's degree in literature at UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in education: policy, foundations, and administration at Portland State University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Helen has served in a number of elected and volunteer roles at the state, regional, and national level, and is a past president of Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA) and OASFAA (Oregon). She has served on NASFAA's Board of Directors as WASFAA regional representative and representative-at-large. She has also participated in negotiated rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Education and has collaborated with several higher education associations on financial aid research and analysis projects. Helen is passionate about financial aid and higher education as critical engines for social change with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
James A. (Jim) White, Jim White Consulting
With a career spanning over three decades of steadfast advocacy and unwavering dedication to student support, Jim White has left an indelible mark on the financial aid community and beyond. He recently retired as Dean of Student Financial Services, Gonzaga University. Throughout his tenure at Gonzaga University, he helped identify financial barriers impeding students’ academic progress and tirelessly worked to dismantle them.
As an employer and mentor, Jim was not only an incredible leader but also a nurturing mentor who invested in the growth and development of his team. His open-door policy and willingness to listen and provide valuable insights fostered an environment of collaboration and growth, not just within our office but within our community and the financial aid community as well. Jim’s involvement in professional development exemplifies his commitment to excellence. His active participation in initiatives such as SEO Review, NASFAA advocacy, and various training and events underscores his dedication to staying abreast of industry trends and best practices. In conclusion, Jim embodies the attributes of an ideal receipt for this award. His relentless advocacy, outstanding leadership, dedication to ongoing professional growth, and steadfast commitment to fostering student success render him exceptionally worthy of this acknowledgment.
