By Kattie Parsons
 

It is that time of year again, when hundreds of Lee students
gather to support their peers in a battle of pride and endurance to
win the title of “Dorm Wars Champion.” This dorm-to-dorm
competition will take place on Monday, Oct. 29 at 8:00 p.m. in the
Paul Dana Walker Arena.

Dorm Wars is a long standing tradition at Lee University. The
annual competition has been a highlight of students’ college
experience for the past 20 years. The event, organized by Lee’s
Department of Residential Life, brings energy and excitement into
dorm life as well as raises money for various service
organizations. The first, second, and third place winners will
receive a monetary donation for their designated organization.

“We find that all too often, our students exist within the “Lee
Bubble” and are largely unaware of what’s going on in the community
around them,” said Ben Jones, resident director of New Hughes Hall
and Male Brinsfield. “By partnering with local service
organizations, we’re trying to combat that and offer an experience
that is impactful for both our students and the local
community.”

This year Dorm Wars will support 10 service organizations
including: Haven Place, Chambliss Shelter, Simone’s Kids, Reinbow
Riders, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Family Promise,
Habitat for Humanity, Operation 20/20, Second Life Chattanooga, and
Children’s Advocacy Center.

While Dorm Wars has been a tradition for Lee students for many
years, this year is different from previous years. Instead of being
held in the spring semester as it has in the past, this year’s
competition will be held in the fall.

“By moving the event to the fall we’re giving our residents a
chance to invest in the community of their dorm early in the year,”
said Jones. “There is so much excitement inherent in those first
few months of school, especially for our new students, that moving
Dorm Wars to the fall allows us to really capitalize on that and
use that momentum to keep doing fun and meaningful things within
the dorm.”

The competitions involved in this year’s Dorm Wars will include
the classics of the shopping cart race and the obstacle course. The
third event in this year’s lineup is a classic relay race. This
includes the sack hop, three-legged race, and wheelbarrow
race. 

For more information, please contact Ben Jones at [email protected].

PHOTOS: Members of the Bowdle O’Bannon team sprint to
the finish line in the legendary shopping cart race. Also shown
here are the 2012 Dorm Wars Champions.