Given to those who have consistently shown generous support of independent schools and their business officers.
NBOA has given out the Outstanding Support of Independent Schools Award since 2011. View the award's past recipients.
A person who has consistently shown generous support of independent schools and their business officers, through his/her role as an association executive, a corporate partner, a consultant, or a senior administrator (other than a business officer) at an independent school.
Nominations are closed at this time.
The award will be presented during NBOA's annual conference in February.
President
National Association of Independent Schools
Pat Bassett became the president of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in August 2001. Bassett began his career in independent schools in 1970 as an English teacher, lacrosse coach, and dorm parent at Woodberry Forest School (VA), an all boys boarding school. In 1980, he became headmaster of an all-girls school, Stuart Hall (VA), where he remained until 1989, when he was appointed head of school at Pomfret School (CT). From 1993-2001, Bassett was the president of the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). He is an adjunct faculty member of Teachers College, Columbia University.
Bassett has served on the board as a trustee of NAIS, The Multicultural Alliance, The Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, and The Council for American Private Education (CAPE - since 2001). In June 2010, Bassett was appointed to the board of trustees of Williams College.
Professional recognition has included being named a Kellogg National Leadership Fellow in 1986; a recipient of the Educational Leadership Award in 2000 by The Klingenstein Center of Teachers College (Columbia University), and global leadership awards from both The European Council for International Schools (ECIS) and from the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA).
A Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude graduate of Williams College, where he was captain of the lacrosse team, Bassett also holds a master's degree in film studies from Northwestern University.
The Outstanding Support of Independent Schools Award honors the legacy of Sarah P. Daignault, who served as the Executive Director of NBOA for the first 12 years of its existence. The award recognizes the instrumental role in developing strong relationships in the independent school industry in support of the efforts of the business officer. It honors Sarah's vision and dedication, which transformed NBOA from a small group of like-minded business officers into a thriving organization supported by hundreds of members across the country.