Twenty-one undergrads battle for 13 Senate positions

Twenty-one students have submitted petitions to run in the 2005 Student Government Association (SGA) senate race.

Voting will take place Monday, September 12. Thirteen senators will be elected. Students will be able to vote online or in the Campus Center.

Below are the names and petitions of students up for election.

Lisa King, sophomore
"Being only in my second year you can be assured that I am committed to making a difference in my next three years. My involvement in various activities and groups on campus help to expand my interests and in doing so I can be a voice for a variety of things across campus. I'm outgoing and energetic so vote for me!"

Kara Bender, junior
"I just returned from a semester in DC and am excited to bring information and awareness surrounding our country and the world back to campus. I intend to work at making EMU a place that is concerned with events that are happening outside of our community."

Jeremy Teter, senior
"As students there are times we all feel powerless, but over the past three years I've seen that students can make a difference. I plan to do just that. I have already been brainstorming about how to make things better for you. Also, as a non-Mennonite, I will represent an important sector of the student body."

Mark Risser, junior
"As your student government representative, I want to contribute my ideas to issues important to our university. I believe I can provide an input that is consistent with many students here at EMU."

Alexis Sauder, senior
"I would like to see a greater connection between students, faculty, and staff through regular dialogue. I also hope to support clubs and organizations in bringing in speakers and organizing events to challenge students."

Jonathan Beckler, junior
"I want to focus on building the relationship between Common Grounds and SGA. Concern for stewardship of finances and how SGA can benefit the campus and what we can do for the surrounding community."

Bryan Kauffman, sophomore
"EMU is a place where all people should feel that they have a voice in what our student government does because the decisions made in the SGA have an affect on our lives. If I am elected, I hope to be someone that you can talk to about the changes that you would like to see on campus and that we can all work together to continue to make EMU a better place for all of us."

Darryl Mosley, first-year
"College is an intense time. We as students need many things. With a strong voice I devote myself to making EMU a place that we as students want and can call home. A place we can take pride in."

Ellie Spaulding, junior
"Hey, I'm Ellie and having gone to EMU for two years now and hearing what the student body has to say, I would like to represent you guys. I want to be your voice and make sure things happen and get done. Let's make a great year for ourselves!"

Kali Dove, junior
"I plan to make changes that are in betterment of the student body at EMU."

Jason Gerig, junior
"With a fresh and clean perspective of the EMU community, I want to be an influence in Student Government for a campus community that welcomes and embraces all of its students. Everyone at EMU should feel as though this is their home, and that they have a place in which they belong."

Victor L. Horton, first-year
"I plan to enhance Eastern Mennonite University's high standards pertaining to extra-curricular activities and student life, while incorporating the ideas and views of the student body as a whole. Previous experience: SGA president at Pulaski County High School, Spanish club, African American History club president, Track and Field captain, Basketball captain, and Science and Debate Team captain."

Felicia Wideman, junior
"I want to get involved with other student at EMU to make the school a better place. I'm a transfer student so I have some different resources to add to the group."

Jason Hostetter, junior
"I plan to facilitate communication between the students, SGA, and the administration, while supporting popular campus programs like campus bikes, the Student Lecture Series, and shows in the coffee shop. I will also raise environmental awareness on campus."

Andrea Zilinski, sophomore
"If I am elected, I will make the student voice heard. I will make myself available to those who have concerns and/or ideas that they want to make known to the Senate. I will do my best to help make our community stronger than it has been before."

Michael Kniss, senior
"Building on two years of senatorial experience on SGA, I will continue to work to strengthen the student voice on campus. One of my main focuses will be to increase student representation and voice in EMU's current massive discernment process about restructuring academic, extra-curricular, and student life-oriented programs."

Kendra Nissley, junior
"I will raise international awareness, and work to provide more support for cross-cultural returnees. I will accurately represent every student on campus as far as it depends on me -- meaning it depends on you too! I will also promote excessively fun activities on (and off) campus."

Brenna Steury, junior
"As your SGA senator, I will do my best to listen to and be a voice for our student body. I will work hard to make sure the needs of the student are met. I'd appreciate your vote! My specific goal in to increase student awareness and involvement in issues facing EMU and/or the broader community."

Aerlande (Dae) Wontamo, senior
"If I am elected as senator, I will bring diversity. I will be a voice for the minority population. I also will bring a different perspective being non-Mennonite and an international student. Diversify! Vote for Aerlande!!"

Denae Eshleman, senior
"I want to be a representative of the student body because I am passionate about people having their voices heard. I want this year to be a year that communication is opened up between the Board of Trustees and the student body. As a senator, I would also work to bridge the gap between YPCA (Young People's Christian Association) and SGA to improve the community of politics and religion on EMU's campus."

J'aime Mims, sophomore
"As a freshman last year I was unaware of the impact SGA could have on our collegiate experience. This year I want to be a voice and representative of the student on campus who desire to see positive changes. I enthusiastically offer my service. I will strive to be a voice of all religious and cultural backgrounds!"