Lori A. Webster Scholarship
Lori A. Webster Advanced Government Finance Institute Scholarship
The MnGFOA initiated the Advanced Government Finance Institute (AGFI) Scholarship in 1995. The scholarship is awarded annually to an active MnGFOA member.
In 2005, the scholarship was renamed in honor of Lori Webster, MnGFOA member and Finance Director for the City of Hastings from 1988 to 2005. Lori was in the middle of her term as MnGFOA President in 2004 when she was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away a year later. Lori was the first chair of the Education Committee, and attended the AGFI in 1994. Her passion for and dedication to education was evident not only in her professional life, but in her personal life as well through her service as a Sunday school teacher. Lori left a lasting impression on so many of the MnGFOA membership. It is most fitting that her legacy lives on through this scholarship.
The AGFI is a one-week program held annually at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and sponsored by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The Institute brings together 50 government finance officials from across the United States and the world. It offers experienced finance officers a rare opportunity to step back from day-to-day operational demands and consider the broader perspective of their organizations. Lectures, seminars, small group sessions and informal networking provide the context for this intensive on-campus program.
Topics Discussed
- Economic, demographic and financial horizons
- Urban policy and governmental restructuring
- Technology and its impact on financial management
- Future directions in accounting, budgeting and finance
- Leadership strategies
Faculty and Presenters
- University of Wisconsin faculty
- Government officials
- Consultants
- GFOA staff
Tuition/Fee Scholarship
MnGFOA will pay the tuition fee for the successful candidate(s) that will cover the enrollment, lodging, and meals at the Institute facilities, course materials, and sponsored activities from the evening of Sunday to noon Friday. The scholarship does not include such items as mileage, airfare, or time off from your organization to attend.
Eligibility
All active members of the MnGFOA are eligible and are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must meet Institute guidelines below for attending the Institute.
Institute Guidelines
The applicant should hold a current position in a state or local government, school district, special district, authority, or regional/metropolitan council. The position may be elected or appointed. The applicant should have a minimum of four years experience in a government finance position, preferably in several areas of responsibility. It is preferred, but not mandatory, that an applicant have some mid- or top-level management experience in government.
Applications
Applications are accepted from January 1st through March 30th of each year. For 2011, the deadline has been extended to April 30, 2011. Members may apply for themselves, or nominate another member for the scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded by April 30th.
Download the application form here
Past Recipients of the Scholarship:
| 1995 |
Jean Lane |
City of Grand Rapids |
| 1996 |
Larry Freund |
MN Dept. of Administration |
| 1997 |
Wendy Moldenhauer |
City of Waconia |
| 1998 |
Jim Dickinson |
Anoka County |
| 1999 |
Bob Sundberg |
City of Brooklyn Center |
| 2000 |
Howard Koolick |
Hennepin Parks |
| 2001 |
Greg Sticha |
City of Minnetonka |
| 2002 |
Tony Shelstad |
City of Coon Rapids |
| 2003 |
Ron Hedberg |
City of Cottage Grove |
| 2004 |
Tonya Weinert |
Washington County |
| 2004 |
Mike Abeln |
City of Minneapolis |
| 2005 |
Brenda Davitt |
City of Roseville |
| 2005 |
Fran Windschitl |
Rice County |
| 2006 |
Chris Regis |
City of Richfield |
| 2006 |
Sue Iverson |
City of Mahtomedi |
| 2007 |
Shelly Kolling |
City of Savage |