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 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 Mr. 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, contact Mr. Jones at bjones@leeuniversity.edu.

The 2012 Dorm Wars Champions