#DUG12 Opening Session

*** If you read this – please know that this is my opinion and that this is done free flow – please excuse grammar and spelling errors!
  • new name: ellucian – about bringing “light” to the mind – (wow… if you have to explain the name this much… it is too complicated… and now there is a film) – “fuels innovation” – “We Will Illuminate the Future”
  • Theme for this year: “Transformation through Collaboration”
  • (sorry… got distracted) John Speer talking about where Ellucian is going and what that means to us as Users
  • (What will this went be called in the future?  EUG?)
  • Mark Jones – Chief product manager
    • Changing up the experience for the users – Accelerate innovation 
    • invest in more creative approaches – more than streamlining processes and spark new ideas for innovation
    • Plan to do an OPEN eco-system and will be collaborative (now THAT will be a change!)
  • MIchelle Clifton – facilitator for the rest of the morning
    • Michelle Reed, new chief marketing officer – 60 days – working through the naming & branding process 
      • started with 1500 name choices and brought them down to Three before the final
      • What is going to happen with the future of DUG: talking with the future – there will be a combined user-group meeting in 2013 and then… we’ll see for the future – customer engagement will continue – April 7-10 in Philadelphia PA (won’t always be in PA) 
    • Sean Philpot – VP Conference Planning Committee – CIO Emmanuel College
      • Top Reasons: Content / Networking 
      • Easier to fill out surveys on the DUG mobile app – easier way to do survey 
      • Peer networking – more time for conversations with peers: Networking Luncheon – tables by topic of interest (yeah… so will I be sitting by myself and talking to myself?)
      • There is another Keynote tomorrow – J.R. Martinez – (something to look forward to! )
    • Christine Kurth – Dug Board President – Franklin University
      • (I don’t remember this opening being so staged – including hand-motions)
      • (Oh good… they made fun of “EUG”… !)
      • Recognize the partners who support the event and the DUG Governing Board – SHiNE Award Winners: members earn points by
        • Presenting a session at the national and/or regional conference
        • serving on team (missed the rest of this description)
        • serving on CAT or Board Subcommittee
        • Serving on the DUG Nominnations Committee
        • Member of RUG Planning Team
    • ellusian – Jack Kramer, VP, Partner Relations
      • 17 clients celebrating 20 years – Birmningham-Southern College / Cincinnati State Tech & Community College / DeSales University / Des Moines University / Hardin-Simmons University / Idaho Lewis Clare State College / North Central College / Roger Williams University / St Mary’s College of California / Southwestern College / University at Albany (SUNY) / Thunderbird school of global management / Troy University / The University of Tulsa / Whitworth University 
      • (WAIT… we are going to have fun??  When?)
        • 1992 – AT&T sold first video phone for $1,499
      • Partner in Excellence awards – participating in the client community / actively involved in higher ed issues / showing leadership / innovative with their use of the ellusian products – 
        • 2 year: Prince George’s Community College
        • 4 year: Lincoln Memorial University

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