The University of Memphis was selected as “School of the Year” at the annual Tennessee Association of College and University Residence Halls Drive-In, a leadership conference for students involved in TACURH/RH.
Held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., from Feb. 1 through 3, the conference offered a wide variety of sessions for students to attend that were presented by the attendees themselves.
Dana Copes, assistant director of Residence Life and Conference Housing, said that the conference allows students to be involved in the executive board on a state level, among other benefits.
“It provides leadership opportunities — not only to learn, but also to present their programs,” said Copes.
Thirteen delegates from The U of M attended the Drive-In, and two of them were awarded two of the top six program awards of any school in the state. The winners were Antonio Johnson, who presented a program dealing with stereotypes, and Marvin West, whose presentation was on learning how to dance.
Jamica Clement, another U of M student, was awarded the “TACURH Delegate Scholarship,” which entitles her to attend the conference in 2003 with all expenses paid.
The cost for attending the conference this year was $80.
The “TACURH Service Award” was given to LeRoy Conway, resident adviser in Robison Hall, for his active participation in The U of M’s Residence Hall Association.
The University of Memphis also won first runner-up for “Most Spirited School,” according to Copes.
Students who wish to present a program must first submit a proposal to the host university.
“The host accepts certain ideas in order to create a well-balanced, wide range of sessions for students to attend,” Copes said.
The “School of the Year” award criteria include the contributions the school’s RHA has made to the community and the university in the past year, and how it has grown.
The tenth annual TACURH/RH Drive In will be held at The University of Memphis next year, where it began in 1993.
The conference was created to allow resident advisers and students across the state to share programming ideas.
The next Residence Hall Association meeting is Feb. 24.
