#NAADD25th: In honor of NAADD's 25 years of commitment to the development of collegiate athletics, NAADD will be featuring the full testimonials of Past Presidents throughout 2018.
 
Here is the full testimonial from Carol Oakland, 1998-99 NAADD President and retired director of athletics development at Augustana University.
 
A 1971 graduate of Augustana University (then College) with degrees in biology and secondary education, with minors in chemistry and English, Oakland began her professional life teaching high school and junior high. It wasn't until the early 1980's, that Oakland traveled back to Augustana, where she took on a variety of roles in a volunteer capacity.
 
In 1985, Oakland began what would become a 17-year career at her alma mater, as an associate in the development office with responsibilities for athletics fundraising and alumni relations. Beginning with the 1986-87 academic year, she was responsible for athletics fundraising exclusively, and received the title of director of athletics development. As the Director of Athletics Development, Oakland worked tirelessly to increase the financial support for the Vikings, carrying Augustana into a new era of athletics development.
 
In 2002, Oakland retired as the director of athletics development, following nearly two decades of service to her alma mater. After a career in development, Oakland continues to be involved in fund-raising efforts in Sioux Falls. She has served ten years on the Board of the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, and a year as president. Oakland also served as Congregational President of her church and co-chaired a capital campaign for a $12 million expansion in 2007 with her husband Jim. Both of Oakland's children are also Augustana graduates and she is now a proud grandparent.
 
Though NAADD – even the term "athletics development" – was in its infancy when Oakland took over the reins, without her determination to increase membership in the early years, NAADD might look different today.
 
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Here's what Carol had to say about NAADD:
Why should someone become a NAADD member?
I was involved in NAADD from its beginning days. I had previously attended a summer workshop that was organized by a gentleman (whose name I have forgotten) who had spent much of his career in athletic development. There I met a variety of people (Pat Ogle, Bob Madden, Lu Merritt, among others) who became leaders in developing NAADD. As an athletics development person in a small Division II institution, I greatly appreciated the ideas and support from others in the profession. I came into the role at Augustana as a membership campaign volunteer and friend of the head basketball coach, and loyal alumnus; I was hired in summer 1985. Now, I am tremendously pleased to see how NAADD has grown and continues the work of promoting college athletics and the support of student-athletes. I believe that a development professional always can learn something from others at other institutions, no matter how many years one has been in the "business." Leadership skills are learned through participating in Round Table sessions and being a presenter. Ideas and tips can make one's own programs better. For me, NAADD always served as a spirit enhancer for me to dig in to a new academic year. Other attendees became good friends of mine, and I enjoyed seeing them each summer.
 
What has NAADD meant to you?
NAADD meant professional growth and personal friendships to me. I have been retired since Sept of 2002, yet I deeply appreciate the role NAADD membership played in my career. (My husband retired from clinical medical practice in December, 2001, due to multiple sclerosis.  It became hard to keep up the rigorous pace of development work when he was not working also.)
 
What impact did your time as NAADD President have on you as a professional?
I was honored to serve as NAADD president during the 2000-2001 academic year. Here I was, a non-coach and one who never competed in athletics, and from a small institution, leading an organization with many from major Division I institutions. Ideas, solutions, donor stewardship, and even problems are similar at all levels; just "move the decimal point" on the dollar-factor. 
 
What is your fondest memory of serving as NAADD President?
My fondest memory is all the friends I made over the years, and all the ideas I received from them. At the close of the 2001 convention, I received so many comments from attendees about the successful workshop. 
 
How do you see NAADD progressing in the next five years? Next ten years?
I was impressed to see the extent of the opportunities that are offered at this year's workshop. I believe that the idea of a Fundamentals of Athletic Development came up during the executive meetings during my tenure as an officer; I believe it started as a Round Table. A long-term goal of mine (although it was not accomplished then) was to have a track workshop on Planned Giving, as in Planned Giving 101, 201, etc. I would encourage current members to continue to recruit development professionals from own institution and others within their respective conferences.  Growth in numbers is good for all.
 
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Check @NAADDevelopment next week as our yearlong celebration concludes with NAADD Past President Scarlett Schneider, senior director of development at the WVU Cancer Institute.

Catch up on the NAADD25th celebration and all things NAADD related by following @NAADDevelopment on Twitter by using the hashtag #NAADD25th and #PastPresidentTestimonial.

About NAADD: NAADD is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of athletics development and fund raising. For more information about NAADD, please visit www.naadd.com. NAADD is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 54th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.