Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 3/26/01
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   71

Editors: Photos accompany release   Please note local interest
SLU RESIDENTIAL LIFE VOTED BEST IN STATE
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University's resident assistants, the students who
staff the university's residence halls, brought home four prestigious awards from the Louisiana
Association of Housing Officers (LAHO) annual Equipping Resident Assistant (ERA)
conference.
     The conference was held March 9-10 in Eunice, La. The conference gives resident
assistants opportunities to boost leadership skills, network with other RAs and display school
pride, said Southeastern student housing coordinator Kas Williams.    
     For the second year, Southeastern RAs won "Residence Hall Program of the Year" for the
Residential Learning Center, a pilot program sponsored by the Department of Residential life.
The center offers academic and social support, academic advising, educational and recreational
activities and personal attention from staff and peers to help freshmen make the transition from
high school to college and "survive in a college environment," Williams said.
     Southeastern also received the "Staff Development Program of the Year" award for the
RAs' collaboration with the Positive Steps Family Resource Center. The groups hosted a fun-
filled educational day for abused children from the Florida Parishes.
     LaKenya Johnson of Kentwood, a resident assistant in Carter Harris Hall, received the
"Resident Assistant of the Year" award. A senior majoring in marketing, Johnson has been an
RA for two years. The LAHO "Rising Star" award went to sophomore education major Milo
Herson of Baton Rouge, a. resident assistant in Holloway-Smith Hall for the past two semesters. 
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp01.htm