By Natalie Butz
Copy Editor
Washington College will soon have a chapter of National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), a nationwide organization that recognizes the top one-percent of student leaders on college campuses.
Although the Honorary’s official website states that it “exclusively recognizes leaders in the residence halls,” the new chapter is not just meant to recognize the contribution of Resident Assistants. According to Associate Dean of Students Carl Crowe, improving dorms could begin with a high level of involvement on campus and making significant contributions in other areas of student life.
Senior and Resident Assistant Director Danyelle Martin thinks that NRHH’s open-endedness will allow for a diverse group.
Potential members “could be anyone from RAs to student senators or other student leaders. Even professors can become honorary members. I would really like to see a mix of people come together for this,” she said.
Although the organization is inclusive, it is also very selective. Because of the college’s small size, there is only allowed to be 20 active members of the WC chapter of NRHH at any given time, according to Crowe.
Crowe believes having an NRHH chapter on campus will help the college show its appreciation for students who have dedicated themselves to serving the campus community.
“We have a lot of student leaders involved in the residential life program, both directly and indirectly. This chapter will give us the opportunity to thank them and recognize them for all that they do. I’m always for students shining and this gives us the opportunity to let students shine,” he said.
Residential Life has been trying to bring a chapter of NRHH to campus for the past two years. Although they were recently granted approval, there is still a lot of work to be done, including drafting a constitution and inducting student members.
“We’re starting with creating an executive board next week. The board, along with Carl, will decide what goes in the constitution and what the application process for inductees will be,” said Martin.
There is also the question of how the chapter will be run and the contributions it would make to the overall community. According to Crowe, each college’s chapter varies in its level of involvement. Some chapters foster its members’ leadership schools by hosting conferences and bringing speakers to the campus. Others are heavily involved in community service. At some institutions, NRHH merely acts as an honor society. Students are given a pin and a photo-opportunity and then sent on their way.
“I think it’s premature to stipulate on what the nature of our chapter will be. We are just now doing the legwork and won’t begin inductions until next fall. Once we induct that inaugural class though, I think we’ll let the students guide what we do as an organization,” said Crowe.
But whatever form the organization takes, Martin believes it will provide long overdue recognition for a group that is essential to the quality of life on campus.
“It will recognize leaders who are currently unsung. There are students who choose to dedicate their time to that part of the college experience who really aren’t getting recognized right now and this will change that,” she said.
Potential applicants to NRHH must be nominated, have lived in a residence hall for at least one year, made a significant contribution to campus life and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
April 22, 2011
Volume LXXXI Issue 23