Supporters of Daniel Green erupted into screams and applause when Michael Cowen announced the political science junior as the new Student Government Association president at a results party Wednesday in the Danna Center.
Green attributed his success to the constant support of his campaign staff and the university.
“They were my rock,” he said of his supporters. “Even when I didn’t think I could make it, they believed in me.”
Outgoing SGA president Michelle Clarke was pleased with the election and is eager to pass on her position to Green.
“I think that all of the candidates worked very hard,” she said. “And I know that Daniel will do a great job.”
Students will vote in a run-off election next week between candidates Lee Daugherty and Bob Payne to determine the SGA vice president position.
Psychology junior Daugherty is excited to be included in the run-off but is still willing to work hard to secure last-minute votes.
“I’m going to work hard to try and get all of the votes I missed,” she said. “I’ll be meeting with organizations to try and get my name out there.”
Fellow candidate Payne was especially happy about this year’s increased voter turnout of 40 percent.
“I’m glad that so many people cared about the election this year,” said the political science sophomore. “I feel great that so many people came out and voted.”
The next SGA vice president will succeed current occupant Scott Daugherty, who is candidate Lee Daugherty’s brother.
“I think that the students chose two good candidates,” Scott Daugherty said of the results. “It’s going to be a really close race.”
Although his term was shortened due to Katrina, he said he is ready to pass his position on to one of his potential successors.
“I’m kind of upset that my term was so short,” Daugherty said. “But it still taught me a lot, and I’m ready to turn it over to someone else.”
Also elected were positions within the School of Music, the School of Business and the College of Arts & Sciences. Music business sophomore Marley Dzis was elected for the Music school president, finance sophomore Greg Fontenot for Business and political science sophomore Adam Kohler for Arts and Sciences.
Representatives elected for the music school are music business freshman Robin Abbott and music education junior Stephen Hudson. Accounting and marketing sophomore Fran Villanuevai was elected as a business representative.
Arts & Sciences representatives are forensic chemistry freshman Jennifer Alvarez, political science freshman Jeremy Babers, communications freshman d’Auria Groux-Holt, drama junior Mary Beth Kratky, English freshman Lauren Loeb, chemistry/pre-med junior Marc Raj, political science junior Elliot Sanchez, political science freshman Antoinette “Puffs” Spillers and political science sophomore Casey Trahan.
International business freshman Josh Aranguiz, international business and finance freshman Carlos Macias, international business sophomore Jake Parvino and international business and marketing freshman Angela Richter will participate in a run-off to determine who will fill the remaining two Business school representative positions.
Lauren LaBorde can be reached at [email protected].
