Regional Winner
Month: January 2008

NACURH, INC.

First Year Student of the Month

School: Truman State University Region: MACURH
Nominee: Amanda Kliethermes Nominator: Garett Boatright

On-Campus Population: 2900 Chapter Size: 29

Please explain the outstanding contributions of the nominee during the month of nomination

First year student Amanda Kliethermes has dedicated this past month of January to a number of commitments with organizations at Truman State University. These commitments are fairly extensive and cannot be resolved quickly. Two stand out when one looks at Amanda and her accomplishments. Amanda is a member of Missouri Hall Senate and also the Residence Hall Association of Truman State University. At the Residence Hall Association (RHA), Amanda volunteered to serve on an auxiliary committee. This auxiliary committee was designated as the Bike Co-Op committee and assigned the task of evaluating a past survey along with creating a new survey to better assess residents feelings toward the Bike Co-Op program and specifically the establishment of a workshop in a residence hall. Amanda worked with several others in this committee but took it upon herself to step up and take a co-leader role within the committee. The committee drafted a new survey better fit to assess residents’ needs and also discussed possible options RHA had with working the Bike Co-Op. When others did not want to help with a controversial topic, Amanda took the incentive and stepped up for the task.

Amanda has also worked through the Missouri Hall Senate and with the help of the Missouri Hall Director came up with a proposal to have an annual Student Art Gala competition. The competition is basically an art contest in which only students can enter their art. There will be a presentation/voting day where students of Missouri Hall can come down and vote on their favorite piece of artwork. The three designated winners will receive $100 each for their piece of art, and their art will be placed on different locations throughout Missouri Hall. Amanda presented this proposal in a power point presentation to the members of the Missouri Hall Senate in a professional and excited manner. Amanda discussed in her presentation how it is important to encourage residents of Missouri Hall to be active in the arts. By partaking in this project, students on campus can have a direct influence on campus life and residents living specifically in Missouri Hall. The proposal detailed all expenses, processes, advertisements, submission forms, and even a reception to formally announce the winners. Missouri Hall Senate endorsed the proposal for the Missouri Hall Student Art Gala and passed several money motions supporting its establishment. Amanda also presented the program to a number of high- ranking individuals within several departments of Truman State University in order to get official support for the program. Appreciation of the arts is difficult to instill in residents’ minds. This proposal written by Amanda provides an interactive way in which residents are encouraged to create a piece of art and for other residents to come and vote.

Amanda Kliethermes over the month of January dedicated her time, passion, and talent to a number of programs. Amanda took a supportive/leadership role in helping the Bike Co-Op committee figure out what it should do and where to go. Amanda also took the leadership role in developing a formal proposal for the Missouri Hall Student Art Gala and presenting it not only to the Missouri Hall Senate, but also a small group of high-ranking individuals within the Residence Life Department and Facilities Department. These are no small tasks for a first-year student to take on and Amanda pursued them with a high level of dedication, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

Word Count: 564


Date of entry into database: 2008-02-10 06:30:48

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