In 1954, Iowa State University started a nationwide conference for residence halls called NACURH, the National Association of College and University Halls.

What sprung from this was a variety of regional conferences, NACURH being ours.

This year’s trip to NACURH 2000 in Grand Forks, N.D., was met with tragedy.

Every single person on this trip was affiliated with IRHA in some way, whether they were on the exec of IRHA itself, a hall representative to the Parliament or a resident of TRA, UDA or RCA.

I would like to commend all of the people who were on this trip. I have never felt so proud to be a part of IRHA as I was Friday morning.

In perhaps one of IRHA’s darkest hours, we all were able to come together in a time of need to help each other get through such a crisis.

I will never forget looking in the rear view mirror of the van I was driving to see the other tossed like a Matchbox car.

Not only would I like to thank all of the IRHA people but also our advisor and the many people at Iowa State who helped get us through this.

Hats off to our trip advisor, John Shertzer of the Department of Residence.

After Friday morning’s tragic events, John was able to comfort the group and relax everyone so that we could still bring back ideas and suggestions on how we in IRHA could improve our own residence halls.

I would like to thank you all for the support you have given IRHA, and the people who were involved in this accident.

I ask that you also continue to hold in your thoughts our IRHA Secretary, Heather Minish, who is still recovering in the hospital from her injuries.

Paul DuncanJunior Transportation logisticsPresidentInter-Residence Hall Association