UIS wins "School of the Year" award at residence life conference

The University of Illinois Springfield Office of Housing and Residential Life was recently honored with the “School of the Year” award from the Illinois State Resident Assistant Association (ISRAA). The award was presented during the group’s annual conference.

“We stood out,” said Chad Eversgerd, resident director for UIS West Campus Townhouses. “We went and presented several programs, demonstrated school spirit, possessed great citizenship, helped other schools, and supported others in our institution.”

The conference, held at Millikin University in Decatur, brought resident assistants (RAs) from around the state together and gave them the opportunity to connect and expand their knowledge base. Students spent the weekend learning about leadership, personal development and programs they could take back to their residence halls, townhouses and apartments.

In addition to the “School of the Year” award, UIS was also honored with the “Most Spirited School” award, voted on by the delegations that attended, due to the enthusiasm and school spirit. Students also received the philanthropy award for holding a clothing drive, which supported the Red Cross.

Larry Perse and Ryan Chipman, both student RAs in Lincoln Residence Hall, received a top 10 program award for their “True Blood” presentation. “True Blood” was designed by the two as a community builder program to teach leadership while understanding the diversification of character in a group.

“The students worked really hard and have brought back a reason not only for housing, but for the University to be excited,” said Eversgerd.

UIS RAs who attended the conference included Lyssa Barth, Ryan Chipman, Larry Perse, Sarah Snowden, Chelsea Still, Michael Markwell, Marcus McNeal, Jessica Flynn, Reema Kansara, Andrew Nicol, Mindy Ruckman, and Shonda White. Advisers Chad Eversgerd and Zach Berillo also attended.

About 20 other institutions from around Illinois participated in the ISRAA conference.