May 3, 2007

Student Senate election results
Leanne McCullough
lem001@marietta.edu

Lao Tzu once said, “To lead people, walk beside them”. This is ever true as Marietta College welcomes its newest Student Senate Executive Board: Tori Caracciolo, President; Becky Whitman, Vice President; and Nick Aylward, Treasurer.

These three individuals have served the Marietta campus in various other leadership positions and truly know what the Student Body needs.

Lauren Thompson, current Student Body President, is very pleased with the new leadership saying, “I am extremely confident about the leadership next year that will not only continue the progress we made this year, but begin and develop new programs and leadership that will continue to improve the credibility and visibility of student senate.” Lauren stresses that Tori, Becky, and Nick have all had an impact on the student body both on and off of Senate.

“Tori and Nick were on the executive board this year so they know the ropes and the administration which are crucial components, and Becky who took a year off from senate to focus on the most difficult year of her sports medicine major curriculum. But as a senator for two years, she was extremely vocal on senate.” Between the three of them, they represent a variety of interests on the Marietta campus.

Lauren also shared what she believes is the most significant accomplishment of Student Senate this past year: “I feel that it was the student wellness program because it potentially effected everyone on campus and gave everyone the opportunity to participate.  Most of all, instead of being something that in past years was effective for only a short period of time, it went the whole second semester and will only grow next year with more depth in programming and opportunities.” She believes the new Executive Board will be able to continue this success into the following academic year.

Tori Caracciolo, the new President, has had previous experience on Student Senate. Tori responded, “I am most excited for next year because I believe there are so many places Senate can go with the help of an enthusiastic student body. Student Senate is about the students, not the senators.”

Becky Whitman, the new Vice President, is very excited about being involved with Student Senate. When asked what she hopes to accomplish this following year, she said, “I hope to get students more involved. You often hear people complain about various things, but they don’t do anything about it.

“I want to make people aware that student senate can convey their concerns to the proper administration and that the people serving on student senate want to do what they can to help you.

“I would like to see student senate advertise what they are doing as well as let the student body know that they are welcome to attend student senate meetings at any time. I hope to continue hosting all-campus meetings.”

Becky also thinks that the students on campus need to pay attention to Student Senate activities. “I think students are unaware of what actually goes on in student government. Students should pay attention to student senate because we are capable of relaying their concerns to the proper administration.

“I believe the students who serve on our governing body have the student body’s best interests in mind. The things we discuss at meetings and the goals we work towards directly affect you, the students of Marietta College.”

Nick Alyward, elected for another term as treasurer, is excited to be on the Executive Board again. “I ran for the position because I really felt that over the past year I have been able to work through it and develop it further. In addition, I really enjoy the connection it gives me to the student body, and it allows for me to see all of the fantastic things this campus has to offer.”

When asked what he thinks is an important issue Senate is facing, he stated, “Since Senate delves into so many areas of campus, it is hard to select one thing that is the most important; one thing that is important that we will be addressing is how to get people more excited to be here at Marietta and ways that we can infuse this campus with pride and enthusiasm.”