Oklahoma State students to host national conference in "08"

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

OSU residence hall leaders (pictured) put together a "rockin'" presentation to get the judges' attention and attract one of the premier national conferences to OSU-Stillwater in 2008. Members shown (back row, l-r): Kristen Swift, facilities co-director; Tyler Prosise, housing; Emily Morgenstern, conference co-director; Ryan Allen, conference co-director; Beth Oliver, philantrophy co-director; Andrew Willoughby, NBD liaison; (middle row, l-r) Spencer Moxley, programming co-director; Amanda Mollet, adviser; Melissa Morie, philathropy co-director; Shannon Milligan, advisor and Nick Irby, facilities co-director. (on the floor:) Mason Meyer, entertainment director.

Oklahoma State University and its residence halls will be the host site of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH, Inc.) national conference in the spring of 2008. The four-day event will be held May 16-19. This is the first time that OSU has had the honor of hosting this conference, and it was all made possible through countless student volunteer hours.

For sixteen Oklahoma State Students the past year has been filled with planning and preparation. These students had a dream of hosting the 2008 NACURH conference. NACURH, Inc. is the largest student-run non-profit organization in the world. NACURH incorporates nearly 300 schools from across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The annual conference generally attracts nearly 2,000 students for four days of energy, excitement, and leadership development.

As Zac Green, co-director of registration and technology, puts it, “NACURH is the happiest place on earth.” That’s why students from Oklahoma State traveled to NACURH 2007 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin this summer to make their bid to host next year’s conference. Led by co-chairs junior Ryan Allen and senior Emily Morgenstern, they were awarded the opportunity to host NACURH 2008!

Next year’s conference theme is “Rockin’ and Rollin’ Through Leadership—Express Your Passions.” The conference staff plans to create an energetic environment where leaders are able to realize their potential and express their passions for the purpose of improving themselves and their communities. Just like Rock and Roll, higher education has evolved from something people were unsure of to an undeniable force in today’s society.

In addition to attracting thousands, the conference will also feature prominent keynote speakers and entertainers from around the country. Students attending the conference will learn leadership development, personal and professional development, social skills, communication skills, and participate in civic engagement activities. To make this event possible students will continue to work throughout the year. They will be communicating with the nation, finalizing conference details, coordinating events, planning philanthropy events, recruiting volunteers, and soliciting sponsorship.

The conference staff is excited to bring NACURH 2008 to Oklahoma State and to share the excitement and happiness with the campus and Stillwater communities. For more details, go to www.nacurh08.com .