Torchlight: The official newsletter of the NACS Foundation

From the President

Awarding Innovation

Volunteer Spotlight on David Holcomb

One Minute with Valued Partner J. America Sportswear

Companies Still Have Time to Maximize CAMEX Exposure

Annual Giving

Student Watch—What's Coming?

Salary & Benefits Survey

Looking back at the many NACS Foundation successes—providing millions of dollars for industry education, critical research, and professional development grants to advance collegiate retailing—we have touched the lives of thousands of people who passionately serve the college store industry. Yet, none of this would have been accomplished without the vision and leadership of the many volunteers who freely gave of their time to help the Foundation become what it is today. For that, we are sincerely grateful.

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www.nacsfoundation.org/news/torchlight/fall11fromthepresident.aspx

Applications for the 2012 Innovation Achievement Award are now being accepted! A $5,000 prize is awarded to the top college store program, with additional honorable-mention awards presented as determined by the NACS Foundation Innovation Achievement Award Committee and Board.

For complete rules, guidelines, eligibility and submission information, or to view previous winning entries, click here. For additional information, please contact Kris Spencer, NACS Foundation development manager, at kspencer@nacs.org or (800) 622-7498, ext. 2437.

David Holcomb's career in the college bookstore industry was unplanned. What began as a part-time job as a college student became a life career, with a passion and experience he could not have imagined. Dave's love for the industry is displayed through his involvement over the years as a volunteer in both regional associations and NACS.

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www.nacsfoundation.org/news/torchlight/fall11volunteerspotlight.aspx

Click here to view this great video and hear what James W. McCollough II has
to say about the benefits of partnering with the NACS Foundation.

Cultivating partnerships, building better relationships, and supporting the college store for the betterment of the industry is the hallmark of J. America Sportswear. Entering the college store industry in 1996, J. America has been steadfast in its support of NACS and the NACS Foundation in working to position the college store for success and, most importantly, for the future.

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www.nacsfoundation.org/news/torchlight/fall11partnerspotlight.aspx

Did you miss our call? There's still time to get in the game! Click here to check out NACS Foundation's partnership opportunities including the Bring A Buyer to CAMEX Grant Program and Online Auction. By partnering with the NACS Foundation, you gain incredible exposure and can spread the work about your company and its products.

We were recently asked: What is the Annual Fund and why is it important?

The Annual Fund, in its fourth year, is conducted each and every year for the purpose of maintaining a sustainable revenue stream through unrestricted individual and corporate gifts. The purpose of these funds is to ensure the mission is carried forward by allowing the NACS Foundation to continue providing key educational programs, critical industry research, and professional development training and grants.

Each year, gifts from both past and new friends of the Foundation ensure that the ongoing resources offered remain strong and at the same high level of excellence that the industry expects.

See philanthropic dollars at work and how you too can make a difference by clicking here!

OnCampus Research is conducting the Student Watch 2012 study on college and university campuses across the nation this fall. The overall purpose of this study is to provide actionable research data on student buying habits and attitudes toward course materials, including digital/electronic textbooks. The goal is to assist college store managers in making informed business decisions. More specifically, the objectives are:

Provide quantitative data on the required course material purchase behavior of the U.S. college student population.
Provide quantitative data on the prevalence of electronic/digital textbooks and how students are accessing them.
Understand how demographic segments may differ (e.g., male vs. female, by disciplines, etc.). In particular further examine how community college students differ from other students in regard to course materials.
Gain further insight into what is important to students when buying required course materials and what contributes to their satisfaction.
Track changes in students' course material purchase habits and usage. Analyze how this may affect college stores.

The Report will be available for purchase Spring, 2012. For more information, contact Elizabeth Riddle at lriddle@nacs.org or (800) 622-7498, ext. 2216.

The College Stores Salary & Benefits Survey is a practical study containing the latest data on industry compensation and benefits practices. This report is a great benefit to anyone concerned with college store employee compensation and benefits practices. A must-have as stores prepare a new employee position, upgrade an existing position, or compare a present position with similar ones in the industry.

Information in the report provides the opportunity to compare a store's own compensation levels and benefits packages to others within the:

Industry as a whole
Same sales volume category
Same geographic region
Same type of school served (two-year vs. four-year)
Same type of store ownership (institutionally owned, privately owned, contract managed, other)

Underwritten by the NACS Foundation, the College Stores Salary & Benefits Survey is conducted by OnCampus Research with the professional collaboration from Industry Insights, Inc.

The 2011 report is now available. Get the information you need to recruit and retain top talent�click here to order yours today!

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