A record turnout of over 3,000 students voted in the Student Government Association spring elections, the winners of which were announched last Friday.
Meagan Flippin, vice president for administration and public affairs, said it was the most votes ever cast in a spring SGA election and is evidence that students are becoming more interested in SGA events.
"The high voter turnout shows that more students are getting involved in SGA and want their voice heard," Flippin said. "The more people who vote, the better representation and candidates who are chosen as the winners."
Chassen Haynes won the office of student body president, receiving 1,005 votes, while Gretchen Jenkins was elected vice president and speaker of the senate, earning 1,589 votes. Brandon Reedy secured the position of election commissioner with 1,497 votes. Ashley DeSabetino, who ran unopposed, won the office of vice president for administration and public affairs with 2,764 votes.
Vice president and speaker of the senate elect, Gretchen Jenkins, said she is excited to take on her office in the fall semester.
"I am extremely excited and ready to go to work for the student body," Jenkins said.
Jenkins made history in the election by defeating her opponent, Josh McKenzie, who currently holds the office.
"It was the most competitive race in my opinion," Jenkins said. "It's something that's never been done before. It feels good to win especially when faced with discouragement from people."
Jenkins said that she spent her spring break working on beginning details for the senate retreat.
"I am going to try and bring in two U.S. congressmen, one from each political side, to teach parliamentary procedure to the [SGA] senators."
Jenkins added that she is working to have SGA legislations posted two weeks in advance and online for students to see.
The new SGA executive officers will be sworn in to office at the SGA banquet on April 18 at 6 p.m. in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. Once sworn in, candidates will officially take office on May 1.
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