The University of Missouri-Rolla was named “School of the Year” at the semi-annual business meeting of the Midwest Affiliate of the College and University Residence Halls (MACURH), held Feb. 3-5 at the University of Kansas.

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 and the university will now compete with seven other schools for the national “School of the Year” title.

UMR was also honored with the “Commitment to Diversity” award which recognizes the student-directed, campuswide commitment to awareness and education of residential students concerning diversity issues.

In addition, Alex Dempsey of St. Louis, a junior in engineering management and pre-law, received an award for his service to both the local residence halls and to MACURH.

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. Fifty schools in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba participate in the MACURH regional association.