History of NRHH

In 1964, the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), Inc. found itself with financial difficulties. Jim Tschechtelin, NACURH Chair, began investigating possibilities for potential revenue sources and grants. Grants were found, but there were two requirements: a central NACURH office had to be established, and the member schools needed more services rendered. Thus, April 25, 1964 at the University of Denver during the annual NACURH Conference the National Residence Hall Honorary was created as an answer to the second requirement.

During the preliminary organization, the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) focused on the incorporation of old into new. Campuses with existing honorary organizations were contacted and coordinated into the NRHH structure. The preservation of chapter identity was primary, as it was incorporated into the NRHH structure, and as each campus is aware of its own individual needs. The primary focus of each chapter became the recognition of the residence hall leaders on its campus. This helped sustain a consistent membership in on-campus organizations, as well as, on the regional and national levels within NACURH.

The years between 1977 and 1987 were years of growth for the NRHH. Pins and certificates were produced to recognize the members of the honorary, the tradition of regional and national receptions during conferences began and formal recruitment and affiliation packets were produced. Regional Recruiter (now called Associate Directors) positions on regional boards were also established. Many awards were created including Program, National Communications Coordinator, Advisor, Student, and Resident Assistant Of The Month Awards as well as the NRHH Outstanding Chapter of the Year.

Today, well over 200 chapters are affiliated with the honorary through the NACURH Information Center. NRHH has become more intertwined into the NACURH Corporate Structure by the addition of the National Associate for NRHH (NAN) to the National Executive Team and its continuance to be the organizations major source of recognition. Activities of the chapters vary from campus to campus. Some simply induct new members at an annual recognition banquet every year, thus, an honorary chapter. Others are extremely active on their campuses and in their communities, coordinating leadership retreats, conferences, socials, hall or campus wide programs, fund raisers, and a whole host of other events. Still others have found a middle ground which suits their campus. Membership selection is conducted by each individual chapter. The chapter members represent the top 1% of the student leaders on campus and are those who have contributed extraordinary amounts of personal time and energy in order to make the residence halls more than a “dorm."

Symbols of NRHH

The NRHH colors are blue and white. The blue symbolizes loyalty: loyalty to purpose and idea. The white signifies a blank page: a page on which a student writes the successes and experiences that fill their days in the residence halls.

The symbol for NRHH is that of a diamond surrounding the letters of the organization, and the three interconnected lines, the chain of leadership. The diamond, the world's most precious gem, signifies the value and beauty one finds in the residence halls it also signifies the value and beauty one finds in the residence halls experience.

The first link of the chain represents caring. Leaders are people who care. They are concerned about themselves and others, and are committed to making things better. The second link signifies dedication. Part of a leader's commitment is the dedication to cause which they display. Dedication is an important part of the involvement required to be truly effective. The third link represents participation. True leaders participate fully in their academic pursuits, their friendships, their activities, and their lives. Leaders don't sit on the sidelines, but are competent team players. Together the unbroken chain symbolizes the membership of NRHH. As leaders we are interconnected as caring and dedicated participants in the community of your university.