The West Virginia University Student LOT was presented with the Innovative Program Award during the West Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators annual conference held earlier this month.

The award is presented annually to an institution, member unit or division which has implemented an effective and creative approach to a policy or problem.

The Student LOT is the official student football pregame tailgating event located on Oakland Street across from the Ronald McDonald House near Milan Puskar Stadium. It is free and helps promote a positive environment prior to football games for students.

“Now in its second year as an alcohol-free area, the Student LOT has more than met its charge – to offer a fun, safe place for students to gather prior to WVU home football games,” said Kim Harrison, assistant director of WVU Student Organizations Services. “Games, food, giveaways, prizes and music are some of the activities that have made the LOT a success.”

In addition to the recognition of the Student LOT, Erica Bentley, Grants & Development Administrator for WVU Student Affairs, was presented with the New Professional Award during the conference. This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of a student affairs staff member with less than five years of experience in the field. Bentley has worked in Student Affairs as the grants administrator since 2009. During her two years in Student Affairs, Bentley has assisted with 46 grants that have been submitted by Student Affairs professionals. Of those 46 grants, seven are still pending and 26 have already been funded for a total of $1,801,722.

Bentley presented a workshop at the conference on grants and development in Student Affairs. In addition, Jacque Dooley, program coordinator for WVU Student Organizations Services, presented on “The RACK,” WVU’s food bank for students, and Dr. Barbara Copenhaver Bailey, assistant vice president for WVU Student Success, presented on meeting the challenges of serving first-generation and low-income college students.

The West Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators is a professional association that provides services and resources for students and those who work in student affairs and student services at public and private colleges and universities throughout West Virginia. In addition to providing resources and information, the association also publishes an annual directory of all student personnel administrators in West Virginia, distributes a quarterly newsletter and assists in sponsoring several one-day workshops throughout the state.

-WVU-

ta/11/14/11

CONTACT: Sabrina Cave, Student Affairs
304-293-0890, Sabrina.Cave@mail.wvu.edu

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