Retiring ICCFA University Chancellor Mike Burke was honored at the 2010 graduation with a plaque by Matthews Bronze showing a collage of scenes from his years leading “the U," 2005-2010. It seemed especially appropriate that the presentation was made by ICCFA President Kevin Daniels during the ceremony Burke did so much to turn into an event during his time in charge.
As College of Sales & Marketing Dean Gary O’Sullivan put it, Burke changed ICCFA University “from a learning institution to a life-changing experience.” The work he did is all the more amazing when you consider that the position of chancellor is, like that of dean, unpaid. That's right--the association members who lead this intense educational experience each year, developing curriculums and lining up professors, are volunteers.
After the graduation ceremony, the celebration for Chancellor Burke continued with a reception. Click on the photos to see more pictures from the ceremony and from this year’s ICCFA University.
Burke with the plaque from Matthews Bronze.
ICCFA President Kevin Daniels reads the plaque, which says, “In honor of Michale H. Burke, for dedicated service and inspired leadership of the ICCFA University; Chancellor 2005-2010, Dean 2000-2004.” In the background are deans Nancy Lohman and Gary O’Sullivan.
The Cryptones wowed 'em again, this time at the Wide World of Sales Conference opening reception in New Orleans. It was a great conference kick-off and very amazing considering they only had three days of practice.
YouTube is having some kind of problem - it is taking forever to upload video and then when it plays it keeps stopping and starting, like it can't buffer fast enough. So I am going to post them on my Vimeo account and see if that works here.
Actually, in case I don't get around to updating this post right away, if you are interested go to the Vimeo site by clicking here, and type "cryptones" in the Search box at top right. Our Cryptones videos start on the second page.
This was a surprise - Brenda Ayala-Figueruelo, Family Service Coordinator for Serenity Meadows in Riverdale, FL, took lead vocals for an impromptu version of Dreams. Not too bad considering the Cryptones had never practiced the song and never met Brenda before this!
Keynote speaker and all-around good guy Doug Gober on lead vocals.
UPDATE: Thanks to one of our commenters, here is the full list of Cryptones band members:
Keyboards & Vocals - Vicky Amato (performer at Pat O'Briens and wife of Doug Gober, New Orleans, Louisiana) Bass - Chris Bentley (Las Vegas, Nevada) Guitar and Vocals - Mike Burke (Palm Mortuary, Las Vegas, Nevada) Vocals and Tambourine - Doug Gober (Matthews International Corporation, New Orleans, Louisiana) Guitar - Mark Krause (Krause Funeral Homes, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) Guitar - Rick Martin (Palm Mortuary, Las Vegas, Nevada) Sax - Jay Poster (King David Memorial Chapel, Las Vegas, Nevada) Drums - Rich Webster (Las Vegas, Nevada)
I only got one angle from the right side but the entire performance was professionally filmed so eventually the whole thing, with video of the entire band, may be available.
After a truly fantastic Convention this week, we did not deserve any more blessings but we sure got one at the end of the night. Is this a great country or what!?
That's Mike Burke, Chancellor of ICCFA University, and Vicky Amato, New Orleans piano bar maven and wife of keynote speaker Doug Gober, on lead vocals, and our immediate past president (and also a University professor) Mark Krause on lead guitar.
