The University of Missouri-Rolla was named “School of the Year” at a conference of the Midwest Affiliate of the College and University Residence Halls (MACURH), held Nov. 4-6 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

UMR received the honor for the contributions of residence-hall students on the local, regional and national levels. This is the most prestigious award a university can receive from MACURH. It is the third time UMR has received the award.

Alex Dempsey of St. Louis, a sophomore electrical engineering and engineering management, presented “Parli-Ball” at the conference. The program was selected as one of the Top 10 programs out of the 80 presented at the conference.

In addition, Erin Long of Rolla, Mo., a junior in business and management systems and psychology, received an award for her four years of service to both the local residence halls and to MACURH. Aimee Rea of Lamar, Mo., a senior in psychology, and Phil Ross of Kansas City, Mo., a senior in engineering management, were also recognized for their four years of service to the local residence halls, the MACURH region, and national service.

More than 600 students from 50 schools in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba attended the regional conference.

MACURH is one of eight regions that make up the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, which is the largest student-run, non-profit organization in the United States. It promotes the educational goals of residence hall students through discussion groups, seminars and speakers at the annual conferences, as well as information exchange throughout the year.