February 28, 2000

VITERBO RECEIVES "SMALL SCHOOL OF THE YEAR" AND OTHER HONORS AT STATE CONFERENCE

LA CROSSE, Wis.—Thanks to the efforts of its Resident Student Board (RSB), Viterbo College was recently named "Small School of the Year" by the Wisconsin United Residence Hall Association (WURHA) at its annual meeting in Milwaukee Feb. 18-20.

"Small School of the Year" is the highest honor a residence hall association can receive and it’s awarded to residence hall organizations and schools that have made a positive impact on students through achievements and innovative programs.

"For us to win this year is a real achievement, particularly since it’s only the second year Viterbo’s been involved in WURHA," said Jason Ramaker, Viterbo’s director of residence life. "The RSB staff worked extremely hard to make changes on campus through student forums that led to improvements in campus life. They deserve this honor."

Last year, Viterbo’s RSB held 46 social, educational, and community-service initiatives for students. That’s an average of 2-3 per week. In addition, attendance has increased at all its programs.

In addition to receiving "Small School of the Year" honors, RSB President Joe Pickar and Treasurer Jillian Blackburn received a "Top 10 Program" honor for "Oh That Feels Good!" a program on meditation and relaxation.

The group also took the best "Small School Display" award. The RSB display took an innovative look at Viterbo and the La Crosse community with its "underwater bubble" design highlighted with strobe lighting.

Eight student delegates and two advisors attended this year’s WURHA conference. The advisors who attended are Ramaker and Robert Anderson, residence life. The students who attended  and made leadership presentations during the conference are:

STATE     CITY                   NAME                      YEAR
IA              Lansing                Roe, Haley                  Freshman
IL              Crestwood             Morphew, Becky       Junior
MN           Eagan                    Hendricks, Scott        Junior
WI            Columbus             Blackburn, Jillian       Freshman
                  Mauston               O’Rourke, Julie         Sophomore
                  Medford               Jahsman, Jen              Sophomore
                  Montello               Larson, Duane           Freshman
                  Reedsburg            Pickar, Joe                 Senior
                 Wisconsin Rapids  Cook, Chris              Freshman