EIU Media Relations

EIU Named Institution of the Year by the IRHA

The Illinois Residence Hall Association has named Eastern Illinois University the Institution of the Year for 2016.  This award is the highest honor an IRHA member school can attain.  

The award acknowledges the outstanding achievements of EIU’s on-campus living communities. Commenting on the significance of this prestigious honor, Mark Hudson, EIU ‘s director of University Housing and Dining Services, said the award is a great reflection on the quality of Eastern’s on-campus student leaders. “Our student leaders distinguish themselves year after year by delivering high quality programs, services and activities,” he said.

Hudson went on to say that when student leaders from other campuses recognize EIU’s amazing leadership community, it is particularly significant.  “Developing and nurturing student leadership is one of EIU’s core values,” he said. “When our residents do it so well they receive external recognition, it shows our departments’ efforts are being effective and our time and energy are being well invested.”

The Institution of the Year award was presented following the submission of a bid or written report. EIU’s bid was written and submitted by EIU student Kiyla DeVoss and described why Eastern was deserving of recognition.  She wrote her bid, “Once Upon a Time: A Tale of Leadership,” using a fairy tale theme, which made the report fun to read but also shared important information about EIU’s Residence Hall Association and its involvement with the campus as well as the local community. DeVoss, a senior from Moline, Ill., is majoring in geography and minoring in geographic information services.

In addition to being named the Institution of the Year, Eastern Illinois University will be hosting the Illinois Residence Hall Association Conference in February 2017.

The IRHA is committed to the betterment and growth of Illinois college and university residence communities.