Polls close

SGA reveals election results

A week of intense campaigning came to an end when Liberty University’s Student Government Association (SGA) announced the winners of the class officer election
Friday, Sept 5.

During the election week, the candidates were allowed to campaign by putting up posters, making announcements in residence halls and in class and by setting up tables in the back hallway of DeMoss Hall. Polling opened online to all Liberty students at 8 a.m. Friday and closed at 5 p.m.

Council — New class officers prepare for the year.  Photo provided

Council — New class officers prepare for the year. Photo provided

The roles of president and vice president went to Chelsea Andrews and Danielle Dias for the senior class, Jack Heaphy and Mckenna Knowles for the junior class, Spencer Roesch and Daniel Garvin for the sophomore class and Dustin Wahl and Danielle Bush for the freshman class.

The elected class officers, who make up the Executive Council, are responsible for running the daily operations of the SGA. Their duties include working with students, planning and organizing events, advocating student concerns and planning weekly legislation.

According to Senior Vice President Danielle Dias, some of the tasks the senior class officers are in charge of include planning the Junior/Senior gala (a $10,000 event), deciding what the senior class gift is and helping nominate the 2015 Commencement speaker.

“I plan on helping (senior president) Chelsea in all of her goals as senior class officer,” Dias said. “Being able to work with close friends is something that matters to both of us. It’s just been a great opportunity. Last year we both were junior vice president and president, and I’ve also known her since freshman year.”

Dias attributes the success of their campaign to the experience she and Andrews have gained over the years.

“It wasn’t our first campaign,” Dias said. “Chelsea campaigned her freshman year for freshman vice president, and we both assisted in the student body elections as well. I think we knew what we were doing.”

For Heaphy, who was elected junior class president over opponent David Cruz, the campaign was a little more challenging.

“We had to fight for that last vote up until 5 p.m. when it ended,” Heaphy said. “David Cruz put up a very good campaign. He really kept us on our toes.”

Some of the specific goals Heaphy wants to accomplish this year are modifications to the dress code, curfew, the bus system and the policies on open dorms.

“We can’t promise that it will happen, but we can promise that we’ll do our best and we’ll work as hard as we can,” Heaphy said. “My goal is to serve the students, represent them as best as we can to the Student Government (Association), and that means listening to the requests of the students.”

Wahl believes his partnership with Bush, whom he befriended at debate camp a month prior, played a big role in the success of their campaign for freshman class president and vice president.

“A couple of weeks ago we sat and talked about it and realized we’d make a good team to run for president and vice president,” Wahl said. “Two people working together that have experience and know each other’s strengths is very important when you are serving so closely with each other.”

Wahl and Bush decided to base the main message of their campaign around representation of students.

“There is something about being able to serve students in a leadership position that’s always attracted me,” Wahl said. “Probably just because it gives you the ability to serve people in a way that’s more than just hands-on. It allows you to address matters that affect the entire student body.”

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