Kunkel, Franklin to head student body
By Karlie Baker
IV Leader Opinion Editor, April 12, 2007
Two hundred fifty-two students voted in this year’s Student Government Association election. Seven students will take on leadership positions next year.
Liz Kunkel ran unopposed for Student Trustee. Kunkel served as Freshman Representative for the 2006-2007 academic year, and ran for Trustee to gain “better experience in higher education.” She will replace current Trustee Megan Guilfoyle.
Michelle Franklin and Kyle Fogle competed for the position of student body president. Franklin won with 176 votes. She has served on the student government in the last year. She will serve as Jenna Moore’s successor.
Bill Zens ran unopposed for vice president. Doug Johnson will take over the position of treasurer and Katie Zeman will serve as secretary.
Next year’s Sophomore Representative will be Andrew Deters, and Jim Bansberg and Neal Phelps will serve on the Sophomore Programming Board.
Most of the students who ran for positions did so to gain a better understanding of the student body and to improve their learning environment.
Kunkel said that she intends to earn her master’s degree in Higher Education, so the trustee position will serve as a foundation for that goal.
Johnson was convinced to run by presidential candidate Franklin. Zeman ran for student government to allow herself a chance to “take advantage of [her] own voice and opinions.”
The new leaders hope to expand on the projects of the current association members.
“Some ideas [from last year] are still in the making,” said Franklin. “Some particular issues of interest have been problems concerning athletics and tuition, student space, parking, financial aid, civility and student involvement.”
Johnson mentioned talk of pushing for text book rental as opposed to purchasing.
The incoming members have high expectations for the progress they will be able to accomplish, and are confident in their ability to cooperate with each other. The student body will have what Zeman calls an “amazing and determined group of people” this upcoming academic year.
All positions will take over at the April 19 meeting except Student Trustee. Kunkel will begin the position at the May meeting.
Freshman positions for Student Government Association are elected each fall after the new class of freshmen begin classes.