After garnering votes from more than half of the participating student body, Cardinal Impact officially took office at Wednesday's Student Government Association inauguration. But before installing the new slate, members of outgoing Campus Alliance used the opportunity to recollect the past year.
"Wow, it's over," said Campus Alliance President Frank Hood. "Looking back, getting elected was the easy part. Doing what we said we would do was the hard part."
Despite the struggles they endured, Hood said he felt the slate accomplished much of it, as well as a few they did not anticipate tackling. Outgoing Treasurer Moses Jones agreed, giving Campus Alliance a glowing grade for the year.
"I couldn't see us doing anything less than an A," Jones said. "We have a large platform, and there's not many things on there we haven't done."
Both Jones and Campus Alliance Secretary Ebony Strong had no prior SGA experience before being elected, but did work hand-in-hand before joining Campus Alliance. Strong struggled to fight back tears while admitting she would not have joined without Jones.
Having participated on vastly different sides of campus, Strong said it was only natural all four Campus Alliance members culminate their leadership experience as members of SGA.
"I feel like all four of us have established ourselves as leaders, and SGA was that last niche that all of us had to really show our leadership to the students," Strong said. "Having that experience and leadership, that put us in a better position to be able to get a lot of things done."
Outgoing Vice President Carrie Cozad said it felt as if she just experienced her inauguration "yesterday," and encouraged Cardinal Impact to take the whole experience in before getting to work. She also shared the sentiment of her fellow slate members and admitted the job often wore her down, but she said she would not exchange the experience for anything.
"This has been the best year of my life - it's been a roller coaster," Cozad said. "You'll have days where you'll absolutely love it, and you'll have days when you wonder why you agreed to do this."
Cozad thanked Hood for the opportunity, and both were also quick to credit the Senate for helping to realize much of their platform points.
"Each one of you came to Senate wanting to make changes on campus," Hood said. "You didn't just join to fill a résumé line, and for that I appreciate everything you've done."
Hood also credited students for instilling their trust in Campus Alliance while highlighting the highs and lows experienced over his term. He offered best wishes to Cardinal Impact as they prepare to take office, and insisted he hopes "they will be the best SGA slate campus has ever seen."
Cardinal Impact had the opportunity to come together during the turbulent election season, but Jones drew from personal experience when he told the new slate this is only the beginning.
"For the last year, we have all bonded together in so many ways," Jones said. "For the next slate, I hope you can have all the same experiences as us -- all the late nights and all the fights."
Incoming President Beth Cahill gave an inauguration speech and was officially sworn in for the upcoming year, as were Vice President Mandy Mills, Treasurer Nick Turner and Secretary Carson Lance.
AwardsCaucus Chair of the YearBeth Cahill, On-campus caucus
Committee Chair of the YearNicole Akey, Student Services committeeRookie of the Year
Kayla Pickersgill
Senator of the YearMichelle Voss
Executive of the YearSamantha Adamczewski
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
