Martina Mills and Michelle Clarke will take over the Student Government Association April 13, after edging out their opponents in this week’s runoff elections.

Mills, a communications junior, received 1,107 votes for SGA president, beating out her opponent, psychology junior Mary Hayes, by 140 votes.

Clarke narrowly won the vice presidency by 49 votes over chemistry junior Johmyrin Johnson.

Mills said she plans to establish a relationship with Loyola’s next president to inform him of the university’s climate, to integrate the Multi-Cultural Center into student and academic affairs and to educate organizations about the SGA’s budgetary process. She also said that she will perform her duties with the students in mind.

“I’m proud to be part of the ‘Pack, to have (been) chosen to represent Loyola students,” Mills said.

Mills acknowledged the candidates’ respect and support for each other throughout the elections.

“It was a friendly campaign, and we all worked together to voice the campus’s issues,” she said.

Clarke said her first initiative as SGA vice president will be to work on her campaign promises, such as the textbook rental system. Clarke said she hopes to represent the real opinions of students more than anything.

Despite her loss, Hayes says she plans to stay active in helping improve Loyola.

“I’m deeply indebted to all my supporters for their faithful durability throughout the past three weeks,” Hayes said Wednesday morning. “We put forward a solid effort but fell short in the end. I wish Martina well in her endeavors next year.”

Clarke acknowledged her respect and thanks to her vice presidential opponent. She said that that Johnson was a respectable candidate that offered a lot to SGA.

“I wish him the best of luck and (hope) that he stays involved, because he’s a tremendous asset to the university,” she said.

Johnson said that he plans to continue his participation in organizations such as the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Black Student Union. He also said that his overall personal commitment to Loyola is to promote a socially just, more diverse campus that encourages every student to become involved.

Bea Forlano, management senior and SGA’s current president, said she believes that both winners are well-qualified, as were all four of the competing candidates. Forlano said that either way Loyola students would have been represented well.

Her advice to the next president?

“Always think of the big picture before you speak or before you act. Think of your responsibility to represent every single student … from the commuter who leaves at noon, the student who lives in Cabra Hall or to the non-traditional student who attends night classes.”

She also said she on believes that the next SGA administration should focus on enhancing the on-campus readership program of newspapers and prioritizing the academic affairs strategic plan with Loyola’s next president.

“I hope that their next SGA term will be fruitful and as much of a learning experience for them as it was for me,” Forlano said. “I hope that they go above and beyond and take SGA to the next level.”

Lan Bui can be reached at [email protected].

Communications sophomore Michelle Clarke celebrates her win with management junior Norma Miranda and biology sophomore David Robinson-Morris after hearing the returns Tuesday night.

Communications junior Martina Mills hears that she won the race for SGA president, while Mills supporter and communications freshman Michael Cowen looks on.