March 20 will be more than the Student Government Association inauguration; it will be an indicator of a changing campus.
Tolu Olowomeye of Team Tolu was elected president of Student Senate Tuesday evening with 1,175. Although the first minority president of SGA, Olowomeye said she is more concerned with serving the students than making a statement.
"My sister is a freshman here, so for her and the minorities at Ball State, I hope to inspire people," Olowomeye said. "Our slate is unique because we have two females in the upper roles and two males in the lower roles, with two African-Americans and a Latino."
Vice president-elect Megan Pickens said the issues spoke louder than their appearances. The slate agreed that the election results say that Ball State is moving up.
"We bring a lot of different perspectives that a lot of students can relate to," treasurer-elect Irving Washington said. "We can take care of their needs."
Weeks of research, speaking and campaigning paid off for the slate, which won by a margin of over 300 votes.
Team Tolu waited at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house, attempting to watch movies and converse casually, despite their anxiety over their then-pending victory. Olowomeye's sister, Ifeolu, said the slate was nervous about the turnout. "It was scary because all those people said even if they did not vote, Team Tolu would win," Ifeolu Olowomeye said. "They don't really have it if no one votes." The results provided both joy and relief for the slate. "I wasn't nervous," secretary-elect Joe Flores said. "I was just curious to know." The team was told they would receive the results between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. At 7:05 p.m., the cell phone rang. Pickens answered the phone, and the tension thickened. Olowomeye put the phone to her ear, stood up and held on to her sister. Moments later, the silent room erupted in victorious screams when the results were announced. Olowomeye phoned her parents in Washington D.C. to tell them the news. "I don't know the score, Daddy. I just know I won!" Olowomeye said. Afterwards, the team reflected on the election, explaining their excitement, relief and ambition for their upcoming term. "Our first step is to prioritize," Olowomeye said. "We don't want to be known as the people who say what they are going to do and don't deliver."
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