The student body elected Richard Benson and Megan Funke president and vice president for student government in 2014-2015 after two days of voting last week, winning by 261 votes.
After getting the call from current president Cameron Onumah, the victorious duo was excited and relieved.
President-to-be Benson said, “It seemed like a very long wait. We were really nervous, so it was great to finally hear the news.”
Future vice president Funke added, “It was a really great way to start the day. We are extremely excited.”
The opposing team of Darien Marion-Burton and Danica Gray fell short in the elections. Marion-Burton said the results of the election were not in vain.
“Obviously I am upset, but the students of Augustana made their decision, and I feel Richie and Megan are going to do a wonderful job,” said Marion-Burton
The respect was reciprocated by Benson and Funke. Regarding the whirlwind of activity in the past few weeks, Benson praised their opposition saying he was “really glad it was Darien and Danica, we know them very well from the senate, and we really respect their leadership”.
Onumah was complimentary of the Burton-Gray campaign as well, stating, “I do think Darien ran a very strong campaign, and I applaud him for it.”
However, a shortcoming of their campaign may have lain within their platform. Onumah said a “laundry list of demands that you want to do in a year is dangerous for student government.”
Marion-Burton vows not to let the defeat affect his ideas and goals for SGA. When asked how the loss will affect his future with SGA, he said, “I still have my ideas, and I am still going to try to accomplish some of my things in our trust, and me and Danica are really going to try and work to change this campus.”
Jamie Conroy as treasurer and David Sommers as secretary will join Benson and Funke on the executive board. Conroy, a junior business administration-marketing major, is the current treasurer. Funke spoke highly of Conroy.
“Jamie did a great job this year and really knows the ins and outs of the business office,” she said.
Sommers, a sophomore business administration-advising/communications major, will be the lone member of the future executive board who is not a senior. Benson justified the executive board’s choice.
“David has really shown interest in a bigger part, and it is good to have more than just seniors on the executive board,” said Benson.
The fifth and final member of the executive board is the parliamentarian, also know as the speaker. This position is elected by the senate.
With five weeks left in the term, Benson and Funke are already preparing to take on their much larger roles next year. They are in close contact with current president Onumah, and will attend leadership transition workshops on campus during the remainder of the term, the ultimate goal being, of course, to “Continue excellence” in 2014-2015.