One of the hallmarks of Ohio University’s Athens Campus is a residential experience where living and learning blend seamlessly and students develop holistically. Efforts to ensure that students living on campus are supported academically appear to be paying off as members of the OHIO community recently came together to celebrate a record number of high-achieving residence halls. 

OHIO’s Department of Housing and Residence Life hosted the annual President’s Scholarship Reception on Thursday, March 29, in Jefferson Hall. An annual tradition recognizing the academic achievements of students living on the Athens Campus and those who participate in Sorority and Fraternity Life, this year’s event applauded 30 of the campus’ nearly 40 residence halls, all of which had cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or higher at the end of fall semester 2017. 

“We pride ourselves on being the nation’s best transformative learning community because that’s what we do at Ohio University – we transform lives,” President M. Duane Nellis said in congratulating the students, resident directors and resident assistants from the residence halls being honored and in thanking them for their hard work. 

The President’s Scholarship Reception includes the presentation of five awards, recognizing the first-year, upperclass and first-year/upperclass mixed residence halls; the scholars complex (presented to a floor rather than a residence hall); and the fraternity/sorority with the highest cumulative GPAs. Taking top honors this year were:

• Lincoln Hall – First-year residence hall with the highest GPA
• Biddle Hall – Upperclass residence hall with the highest GPA
• Shively Hall – First-year/upperclass mixed residence hall with the highest GPA
• Johnson Hall second floor – Scholars complex with the highest GPA
• Alpha Psi Lambda – Fraternity with the highest GPA 

The event also included the annual induction of residence halls into OHIO’s “3.0 Club.” Housing and Residence Life founded the 3.0 Club in 2013 as a way to recognize residence halls that have earned a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher. The club has grown significantly from its first year when seven residence halls were inducted. That number rose to nine residence halls in 2014, 13 in 2015, 23 in 2016 and a record 30 this year. (See sidebar for a complete list of residence halls inducted into the 3.0 Club this year.)

According to information provided by Housing and Residence Life, there were 4,421 students residing in OHIO residence halls at the end of fall semester 2017 with GPAs of 3.0 or higher. That number includes:

• 4.0 GPA – 380 students
• 3.5-3.999 GPA – 1,994 students
• 3.0-3.49 GPA – 2,047 students

 
Pete Trentacoste, executive director of Housing and Residence Life, emceed the event, emphasizing how residence halls are a formative part of the living and learning experience at OHIO and thanking those who help Bobcats achieve success inside and outside of the classroom. 
 
“I truly believe Ohio University is a special place,” Trentacoste said. “And that’s often because people that are inside this room make it such.”

Joining President Nellis and Housing and Residence Life in sponsoring the President’s Scholarship Reception is OHIO’s chapter of Mortar Board, a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership and service and that encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. 

“It’s a pleasure to be here representing Mortar Board,” said Martin Tuck, dean of Ohio University’s Chillicothe Campus and faculty advisor for OHIO’s Mortar Board chapter. “We are always honored to help sponsor this event.”

Tracy Crabtree, an administrative specialist for Housing and Residence Life and coordinator of the President’s Scholarship Reception, said that the growing 3.0 Club demonstrates the high-quality students who attend Ohio University.

"This event showcases the work that not only our students, but also our Residence Life staff, do to make college more of a success for those attending OHIO," Crabtree said. "It shows how hard our student body is reaching for a higher goal and standard of success."

Attending the President’s Scholarship Reception has become a yearly event for Jason Timpson, a resident director for Sargent Hall, one of the residence halls in this year’s 3.0 Club.

“Our University and the Housing and Residence Life department are deeply committed to academic excellence,” Timpson said, adding that while all students must create a balanced college lifestyle, it’s a deep commitment to academics that make OHIO residence halls feel like a place to grow.

Isabelle Schaefer, a first-year student who lives in 3.0 Club James Hall, felt honored to attend this year’s President’s Scholarship Reception. Schaefer said her appreciation for her home in James Hall is deep-seated and makes her feel like she’s part of a real community. 

“I love living in James,” she said. “It’s been cool meeting other people with similar interests.”

Resident Director Jeremy Miller, who works in the Carr-Sowle Complex – also in the 3.0 Club, said that he loves attending the President’s Scholarship Reception and advocates the value that Ohio University places on its living and learning environment.

“I’m honored to be a part of this positive reinforcement,” Miller said. “It’s always great any time we can congratulate and reward excellent academic achievement.”

undefinedStudents from Ohio University residence halls recognized for having combined GPAs of 3.0 or higher pose with the awards they received at the annual President’s Scholarship Reception. Photo by Juli Holbert