Orientation 2011 Wins Two National Awards

This year’s Orientation program received awards for Outstanding Use of Theme (The Foundation is Set…Build Your Own Masterpiece) and Outstanding Novelty Item (an eco-friendly tote bag) at the 34th annual National Orientation Directors Association Conference.

Representing Duquesne at the conference, which was held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 in New Orleans, were senior Kristina Kocher, director of orientation 2011, and junior Becca Kopcie, assistant director of orientation.

Orientation 2011 was the recipient of two National Orientation Directors Association awards.
Orientation 2011 was the recipient of two National Orientation Directors Association awards.

“It was an honor to know that everyone’s hard work paid off,” Kocher said. “I cried when I got the phone call that we won.”

What makes earning awards at the nation-wide competition special is that, while most universities employee a full-time administrator to manage orientation, Duquesne’s Orientation program is directed and co-directed by a senior and junior, respectively.

Additionally, the Orientation logo and marketing materials are designed and printed in-house by the Office of Public Affairs.

Plans are already underway for Orientation 2012, which includes a staff of more than 220 student volunteers that help make the freshman transition to college life as easy as possible.