The hard work of a group of NDSU students is bringing a major international conference to campus.

NDSU is set to host more than 2,200 representatives of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls for the organization's annual conference May 22-25. The meeting will draw students and professionals from across the United States, as well as members from Canada, Hong Kong, Qatar and South Africa.

According to Rebecca Bahe, associate director of the NDSU Department of Residence Life, 19 NDSU student residence hall leaders worked for almost three years to host the conference. The site selection included a bid process last May.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. They will get to see what a unique institution NDSU is," she said. "Having the conference here speaks to the caliber of our students, our facilities and what we have to offer at NDSU. We have something different here and it's special that we can share NDSU with the world."

Bahe credits NDSU's preparedness, hospitality and commitment by students as the reasons the university was selected to host the conference. More than 100 volunteers are helping with the event.

"We are using nearly every building, classroom and the Memorial Union for programming sessions, so the conferees will really blanket our campus," Bahe said, noting attendees will stay in residence halls and use NDSU dining facilities.

The association's mission is to serve as an advocate for the interests and welfare of residence hall students. The organization provides programs and opportunities for personal growth and development of leadership skills.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.