by Macey Fix, Contributing Writer
As Asbury students walk across campus, they will notice an abundance of new posters displaying the smiling faces of their fellow students. The posters urge readers to vote, as Executive Cabinet campaigning has begun.
Every February, Asbury students vote to elect leaders into student government positions. This year, elections are Feb. 13-15. Winners are announced at the end of the day Feb. 15.
The most influential position on campus is student body president. According to the Asbury University website, the person in this position “chairs the Executive Committee of Asbury Student Congress (ASC)” and “co-chairs meetings with the ASC advisor.” He or she is “responsible for representing needs and concerns of the student body to faculty and administration.”
One student running for this position is junior Maggie Richwine. Richwine served as the vice president of the Visionary class for two years and is currently serving as vice president of Student Activities Board on Executive Cabinet.
“Two conversations I want to address if I am elected are empowering leadership positions that already exist at Asbury and evaluating the quality of events, not just the quantity,” said Richwine. “I believe it is so important to empower and equip the leaders on this campus so that they have a purpose and resources to do their position well.”
One of Richwine’s opponents is junior Houston Thomas. Thomas is very familiar with student government at Asbury as well, having served as the Visionary class president for two years.
“My plan is to recreate the atmosphere of student government,” said Thomas. “We don’t need an atmosphere that promotes superficiality or artificiality, but instead authenticity so students can be who God created them to be in the positions they operate in. This will naturally start reflecting within the student body resulting in fewer masks and more authentic faces.”
“If I am elected, I hope to see the student body grow more aware and empathetic towards each other,” said junior Renner Clements, who is also in the race for president. “Reconciliation, between both students and between students and administration, is my ultimate goal. This will happen as a result of my openness and willingness to listen as the [Student Body President].”
All students running for Executive Cabinet will be giving speeches in the Student Center Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. Voting will begin the following day and at the cafeteria kiosks during lunch and dinner hours.
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Executive Cabinet Ballot:
Student Body President:
Maggie Richwine
Renner Clements
Houston Thomas
VP of Student Governance:
Demarion Johnson
Sarah Smith
Juan Vidal
VP of Student Activities:
Sydney Scheller
Hannah Becht
Executive Treasurer:
Yun Li Tan
Executive Secretary:
Hayley Sledge
Positions appointed after interview process:
VP of Intercultural Programs:
Breana Staten
Caleb Norris
Seth Kinyua
Yoel Rivas
VP of Spiritual Life:
Lexi Ruffing
Kat Brown
Executive Publicist:
Brody McKinnon
Tory McKinley
Eliza Tan
