UCAB receives national award

UCAB group Nine members of UCAB's executive board as well as two graduate assistants and Joe Lowder, assistant director of student activities and head advisor of the organization, recently attended the National Association for Campus Activities South Conference where they were awarded the Board of Excellence award. Photo courtesy of Katy Lang ('09).

UCAB gear (Left) Sean O'Mealia, music productions chair for UCAB, wore the organization's squirrel mascot costume during the presentation at the NACA conference. (Right) William and Mary's UCAB set up a table during the conference's "Festival of Ideas." Photos courtesy of Katy Lang ('09).

by Alexandra Bracken ('09) | October 22, 2008

The College of William and Mary's University Center Activities Board (UCAB) recently beat out over 50 other schools to win the Board of Excellence award at the National Association for Campus Activities South Conference. Additionally, Katy Lang ('09), director of the General Board for UCAB, won Student Leader of the Year.

UCAB, which will soon undergo a name change, is a student-run organization that is responsible for planning a variety of events for the College, including concerts and comedian shows.

The NACA conference was attended by nine members of UCAB's executive board as well as two graduate assistants and Joe Lowder, assistant director of student activities and head advisor of the organization.

Prior to attending, they were asked to compile information about the board in six areas: organizational goals, organizational information, planning and preparation, publicity and promotion, evaluation and campus support.

After submitting this report, UCAB was one of few organizations asked to make a presentation featuring the six criteria to the judges at the conference. All nine executive board members spoke with the exception of Sean O'Mealia ('09) who wore UCAB's squirrel mascot costume. During the presentation, the students acted out each of UCAB's goals for the upcoming year, which included an increased commitment to and renewed focus on sustainability and diversity as well as launching their new name and rebranding their image.

"When the Board of Excellence judges began to talk about the winning school and mentioned a programming board of 150 members with new sustainability initiatives and an iconic squirrel mascot we could not contain our excitement," said senior Thomas Milteer, director of public relations. "UCAB took home two of the most prestigious awards at the conference and represented the College extremely well."

Upcoming UCAB events include a homecoming concert featuring the Ting Tings, an evening with Anthony Rapp from the musical "Rent" and a comedy show with Alonzo Bodden who won the third season of "Last Comic Standing."

For more information about UCAB or any of its upcoming events, please contact Lowder at (757) 221-3254.