From June 22-25, 2008, more than 80 college counselors from 70 different independent schools gathered in Gambier, Ohio on the campus of Kenyon College for the inaugural Summer Institute of the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS).

The ACCIS Institute, “A Meeting of Independent Minds,” featured 16 sessions offered by 23 different presenters and facilitators, plus fine meals and camaraderie, all in the course of just three days. The Institute also included a valuable trip for all participants to the College of Wooster, and optional campus tours and outstanding programs at host Kenyon College, as well as Denison University and Ohio Wesleyan University.

The Institute concluded with admiring recognitions of those who made it happen: Betsy Dolan of Phillips Exeter Academy, Darnell Heywood of Columbus Academy, Maria Morales-Kent of Thacher School, and Burke Rogers of St. George’s School, as well as a final standing ovation for ACCIS Executive Director Marty Elkins of Groton School.

The unanimous conclusion of those assembled? “Let’s do this again next year!”