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Best Residence Life Group
     The University of North Florida ospreys are on the prowl … for new Resident Student Association members. The RSA grew by 1,000 percent in 1999-2000, thanks to their search for student recruits. By posting more flyers for their club meetings and events and by recruiting their friends and neighbors, RSA increased their membership from five in 1999 to 50 in 2000. With a $500 budget from the Housing Department, the association provides students with incentives to stay on campus with activities and programs, including the new three-on-three basketball tournament, biweekly car washes, raffles, and annual homecoming event.
     To keep members active, RSA makes campus improvements like repainting the basketball court and adding picnic equipment to the housing areas, invites guest speakers such as the Student Government president and the housing director, and even hands out free food at all meetings. "These events and programs let residents know that we’re here for them and that there’s something better to do than sit in your dorm room and watch TV," says Rosy Moyle, RSA president. "It also helps them get out and meet their neighbors and fellow students."
Contact Moyle at rosyposy18@hotmail.com.

Most Dedicated Drawers
     You gotta fight for your right … to draw! Four years ago, students at the Ringling School of Art & Design decided they weren’t keeping up their skills just by attending classes. Instead of complaining, they pooled their dough, hired a model, and practiced sketching. Because they wanted to practice animation, they had the model change poses quickly. This small group soon became "Figure Enhancement With Students," a school-sponsored club. Now, it meets five days weekly for three hours to practice "quick drawing." "People like it because they can spend time with other people who are really serious about what they’re doing," says Tommy Smith, a senior who’s a F.E.W.S. organizer. Every year F.E.W.S. gets bigger and now, with about 50 members, is the largest club at Ringling.
Contact Kelly Moselle, assistant dean of students, at kmoselle@ringling.edu.

Best Student Recruiters
     Students are the "first line of attack" at Palm Beach Atlantic College. In the battle to recruit new students, PBA hired 30 student "soldiers" who call prospective students answer questions from a college-student perspective. The "telecounselors" and their student recruits often meet and become good friends based on their common interests that sparked the original phone call. To become a telecounselor, a student must be enthusiastic, love PBA, and believe in the Christian principles advocated by the school. The program offers prizes and recognition to students who make the most successful calls. "It’s a really positive program," says Denise Savela, assistant director of admissions. "For the past two years, [PBA has] had record applications, record enrollment, record attendance, and record retention, all due to the telecounseling."
Contact Savela at (888) 468-6722 or savelad@pbac.edu.

Best Team Effort
     Sink or swim? "Louise" chose sink, then won fourth prize. How? Louise is a robotic submarine, built by engineering students at the University of West Florida. UWF’s sub placed fourth out of 13 schools from the United States and Canada at the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems Third International Underwater Vehicle Competition. The project, which was entirely student-driven, student-designed, and student-developed, took almost four months to complete. On the night before the competition, Louise’s depth sensor broke, and the team quickly came up with the idea to use two bottles to replace the sensor. "From the experience, I know that being an engineer means having a back-up idea and being able to use everything when there are no resources available," says Ratha An, a junior and member of the team. "The competition was very frustrating and fun at the same time."
Contact Rachid Manseur, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, at rmanseur@uwf.edu.

Best Student Freebees
     Sick of studying? Need a break before finals? Throw away all your responsibilities and join Webber College students at one of the wildest beach parties in the state. Students at Webber get treated to a day of beach volleyball, live music, and lakeside fun—free with tuition. Started in 1998, the beach party has grown every year. Held on Babson Park, on the college’s private lake, the festivities include free parasailing, boating, and food. "It’s a family event during the day, but when the sun goes down our beach party resembles nothing short of MTV’s Spring Break," says Steve Warner, student activities director.
     Webber also offers trips to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, rents out bowling alleys, and offers day cruises, all for $10 or less.
Contact Warner at warnersteve@hotmail.com.

Best Dream Come True
     When students at Stetson University open their school paper on April 1, some might have done a double-take after reading about an explosion in the chemistry building and a campus casino being built to eliminate university debt. Those who didn’t look at the name of the newspaper’s edition could have been out of sorts before realizing that it was not the newspaper The Reporter, but The Distorter.
     This once-a-year edition of the school’s newspaper features wacky pictures and bogus headlines about things students can only dream would ever happen at their schools.

Best Women’s Event
     Women get the royal treatment at Florida Christian College—a whole day dedicated to them. FCC hosted the 15^th annual Ladies’ Day this January, inviting women from all over the state to come together in fellowship and worship. The one-day seminar consisted of uplifting and enriching workshops and messages from speakers. Each year, the panel of men and women who plans Ladies’ Day changes activities and speakers so returning women can hear fresh ideas. Volunteers from area churches, the school staff, and students then organize the seminar. "I had a great time and even got to spend a little time with my mom afterward," says Mandy Boden, a FCC sophomore. "My mom and I enjoy being able to spend time together doing what we love best: singing, worshipping, learning, and becoming closer to God and each other."
Contact Susan Sydor, institutional advancement office manager, at fcc@fcc.edu.

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