Residents of Lincoln Hall, home of West Virginia Universitys new residential college experience, marked WVU s 140th birthday this week by displaying their Mountaineer prideon their residence hall doors.

A contest, organized by Events and Ceremonies and Lincoln Hall staff, challenged students to learn more about the history of the University and decorate their residence hall doors with elements of WVU traditions.

We invited students to visit the Alumni Association Web site (http://alumni.wvu.edu/) and review WVU s many traditionsincluding lyrics to the alma mater, Homecoming and Mountaineer Creed,said Alicia Moore, community coordinator for Lincoln Hall.

Students were evaluated on their creativity, relevance to the theme, number of traditions depicted, craftsmanship and overall impression. The results were announced as part of WVU s birthday celebration Wednesday (Feb. 7).

The first-place team of John Lechliter, a freshman horticulture major from East McKeesport, Pa., and Douglas Bowe, a freshman landscape architecture major from Plattsmouth, Neb., took home a WVU prize pack for their colorful door decked out in gold-and-blue balloons and photos highlighting historical events and traditions of the University.

Second place went to Lauren Wilson, a junior psychology major from Pittsford, N.Y., who displayed a timeline of major events in WVU s history, while Jennifer Nyce, a senior industrial engineering major from Souderton, Pa., and her birthday cake theme came in third.

And Amanda Wright, a freshman journalism major from Washington, N.J., and Lindsey Pastin, a sophomore journalism major from McKees Rocks, Pa., earned an honorable mention for their balloon cutouts and summaries of traditions.

All winners received Mountie Bounty gift cards that can be used at WVU dining halls, bookstores, libraries and other University facilities.

WVU s birthday celebration also included cake and giveaways.