2009 MtvU Woodie Awards celebrate college and music

On Nov. 18, 2009 Roseland Ballroom was flooded with artists and fans as the MtvU Woodie Awards took place to celebrate the relationship between college and music. With the 6.1 million nationwide college student votes casted to determine the winners of this year's Woodie Awards, everyone was waiting in anticipation to see the performances, winners and surprises that night.

Dynamic duo Matt & Kim started off the evening by cycling into the venue and taking to the stage, performing "Lessons Learned," the song for their crazy video that won them Best Video Woodie. Fans stage dived and crowd surfed one after another as people on stage stripped down out of their clothes as much as they could, reflecting the antics of Matt and Kim from their video for "Lessons Learned." Kim then climbed from behind her drum set and walked onto the swarming hands of the crowd, being hoisted above the audience and screaming fans.

Starting the evening with a bang, one could only wonder what else was in store. Celebrity presenters for this years' Woodies included Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, actress Zooey Dechanel, comedian David Cross and gossip girl Leighton Meester just to name a few.

Band 3OH!3 came out in drag, dressed in red lace and eskimo like headgear, paying homage (or making fun of) pop singer Lady Gaga's numerous outfit changes that took place earlier this year at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Infamous DJ Diplo, spun songs all evening between award presentations and performances.

New to the music scene, Christofer Ingle, also known as Never Shout Never took home the title for Breaking Woodie while Tech N9ne received the Left Field Woodie for his unique sound.

Long Island indie rock band from Suffolk County Community College, Hotel of the Laughing Tree, were the recipients for Best Music on Campus. Along with being voted as best college band amongst the other nominees, the members of Hotel of the Laughing Tree also won exposure on MtvU and a $5,000 cash prize.

Winning the Radio Woodie for best campus radio station was KUPS from the University of Puget-Sound in Tacoma, Wa. This station exemplified just exactly what the Woodie Awards are all about, using college as an outlet for discovery and promotion for up and coming music.

The band Passion Pit performed later that night, getting the crowd moving with songs like "Little Secrets" and "The Reeling."

Indie favorites Death Cab For Cutie performed "Meet Me On the Equinox," which is featured in the second Twilight installment New Moon, for the first time ever live.

The number of people in attendance for this years' show was much higher than last years. Audience members were standing and sitting anywhere they could, just to be present and know that they were in the same room as the award show and artists there that evening.

Other amazing performances that night included ones by The Dead Weather, P.O.S and Virginia natives Clipse with a guest appearance by Cam'ron.

Music veterans Green Day received the award for Performing Woodie for their intense touring and rigorous time on the road while Jamie Tworkowski, founder of the non-profit organization To Write Love On Her Arms won the Good Woodie on the impact he has made by helping others.

Finally, the award of the evening, Woodie of the Year went to rock band Kings of Leon who were unable to make it to the show that evening but Leighton Meester and Cyndi Lauper accepted the award on their behalf.

The Woodies are fairly young, with this year's show being only their sixth, one can only wait and see how they top this next year. From great artists to performers, the award show is a celebration of both music and the college experience under one roof.