OTM Award

Month and Year: May 2009

Nominee’s School: UNC Wilmington
Region: SAACURH
Category: Community
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Nominee: NACURH 2009- UNCW Delegation Nominator: Sarah Arsenoff
Address: 601 S. College Road Address: 601 S. College Road
Phone: 919-223-0064 Phone: 301-655-1867
E-Mail: srd3369@uncw.edu E-Mail: sea6171@uncw.edu
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On-Campus Population: 4,200
Chapter Size: 42
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Description of Contribution:

The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s (UNCW) NACURH 2009 delegation was
nothing short of amazing. The delegation was comprised of 8 members and 1 advisor.
Delegates Alyssa Tripp, Jordan Winn, Jessica Zirnheld, Sarah Arsenoff, Victor
Hernandez, Stephanie Dickey, Caleb Lewis, and Samantha Daughtry worked hard with
advisor Lindsey Cooper to bring the pride of UNCW to NACURH 2009 in Arizona.
Several of the delegates have attended conferences in the past, but a few of the delegates
were new to the whole conference experience. All of the delegates are highly involved at
UNCW. When May rolled around this year, these 9 people bonded to form a strong
delegation. Their valuable time was split between end of the year events for their various
student groups, pressing exams, and NACURH preparations.

Dedicated to making a strong appearance at NACURH 2009, this delegation spent much
of their exam study time working on anything and everything for the conference. For
example, they spent an afternoon making costumes. When the delegates stood in a certain
order, the costumes spelled out the words RECYCLE! and RESPECT! This creative
costume was the brainchild of several of the delegates during a NACURH delegate
meeting. Also, all 9 representatives spent an afternoon filming a YouTube video that
demonstrated several aspects of sustainability that college students can use everyday.

In order to save time, the delegation split into 2 groups to tackle the making of a banner
and a display for the conference. The banner was made from old UNCW T-shirts and
other recyclable materials. The display was a time capsule made from soda bottles and
contained items that represented the delegation. Furthermore, individuals stepped up to
help make noisemakers and small giveaways.

While everyone was working hard on costumes, the banner, and the display, Alyssa Tripp
and Caleb Lewis worked hard with the NCC, Samantha Daughtry to perfect their
programs for presentation at NACURH.

The original plan was to send 8 delegates and an advisor to NACURH 2009 in Arizona.
Shortly before the trip, one of the delegates became sick and was unable to attend the
conference. This delegate was to be the NRHH representative in the boardroom and was
going to show another delegate, Alyssa Tripp, the ropes of the NRHH boardroom. Alyssa
had never been in a boardroom before, and was thrown into the boardroom at the national
conference without any experience. Additionally, Alyssa presented a program at the
conference. Her time spent at the conference was definitely busy, but was well spent for
UNCW.

And to top off the conference, our university was up for two awards. We were excited to
be able to be finalists for the NRHH Chapter of the Year. Our NRHH President, Brennan
Carter, was also up for President of the Year. While we did not win any of the awards, it
was a huge honor to simply be considered.

All the members of this delegation did not have to spend countless hours preparing for
NACURH 2009, but they did. They gave up time with friends, time at the beach, time for
studying, and time for dinner in order to make a strong presence. Their teamwork and
dedication made UNCW a strong school at the conference.

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