The Benton Engineering Council, the student-run group that oversees all Gator Engineering student organizations, on May 7 won Council of the Year for 2007-2008 from the University's Board of College Councils.

The BOCC, which is the top tier in the University's system of councils and groups, honored the BEC out of about 20 other campus councils.

"It's no surprise," said Angela Lindner, College of Engineering associate dean for student affairs. "These student leaders have conducted BEC with incredible professionalism."

Currently, the BEC oversees 35 societies within the College. It disperses a budget of approximately $64,000 annually to these groups for projects and events, and serves as a connection between students and the College.

But in addition to its regular duties, this year the BEC improved its management of money and was represented in Student Government. They also pioneered a few new activities this year, said BEC President Christian Ramirez, who said he believes these were all factors in their win.

One new activity was Engineering Society Night, a membership drive where organizations set up tables and attracted more than 200 freshmen and sophomores — and even more are expected next year.

A retreat for all the organizations' presidents was also held this year for the first time. The retreat, which was held in the Reitz Union, consisted of presentations on handling funds and using University resources.

Additionally, a redesigned Web site now gives individual societies the freedom to post for themselves, Ramirez said.

All in all, Ramirez said, "it was the breadth of our services and our presence across the college" that cinched Council of the Year for the BEC.