Student Government Association officers elected for Upper Iowa University's 2011-12 academic year
FAYETTE, IA (April 26, 2011) -- Upper Iowa University students have elected Student Government Association (SGA) officers for the 2011-12 academic year. The new UIU SGA officers are President Anthony DiJohn, Vice President Kayla Ludwigson, Secretary Skylar Lesan, Treasurer Lauren Verhulst, and Academic Extension Officer Justin Marchant.
DiJohn is a senior from Aurora, Ill., majoring in accounting, financial management, and management. This is DiJohn’s second year as a SGA officer. He also served as vice president during the 2010-11 academic years. As president, DiJohn’s responsibilities will include organizing and leading SGA meetings; acting as liaison to University administrators; facilitating University changes based on student needs, and serving as a student representative on the University Council, President's Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees. He said, “I ran for Student Government because I am truly interested in making a difference on campus and wanted to ensure my voice would be heard.”
Also a senior, Ludwigson is from Alma, Wis., double majoring in psychology and human services with a minor in sociology. As vice president, Ludwigson will preside over meetings and assume the responsibilities of the president in his absence; coordinate correspondence with any affiliated state or national organization and other student governments; revise the SGA constitution and bylaws as needed; act as a standing member of the Council for Residential Studies; serve as chair of elections, and keep records and file reports that will assist and aid future vice presidents.
This is Ludgwigson’s first year as an SGA officer. “UIU has provided me with multiple opportunities that have allowed me to grow, not only as a student but also as a person,” Ludwigson said. “I thought that participating in student government would be the perfect way to give back to the school. It will also give me the chance to develop skills, such as leadership and communication that will be beneficial after college.”
Lesan is a sophomore from Solon, Iowa, majoring in psychology with a sports and exercise science minor. This is Lesan’s first year as a SGA officer. “I decided to run because I love to be involved and will hopefully be able to help make decisions that benefit the student body,” Lesan said. As secretary, Lesan will prepare, distribute, and maintain the files for all SGA business.
A senior from Dike, Iowa, Verhulst is an accounting major. Verhulst served as SGA treasurer during the 2010-11 academic years and will again be responsible for keeping track of the expenditures in the SGA budget. Verhulst added, “I look forward to working with the team again to set and achieve goals for the students on campus. The Student Government Association is an organization that is here to listen to the students’ needs and better the experience for Upper Iowa students on campus.”
A graduating senior, Marchant from Oregon, Wis., served as the 2010-11 SGA president. After completing his bachelor’s degree in biology and sports and exercise science, Marchant will continue as a graduate assistant and serve on SGA as the Academic Extension officer, representing UIU’s non-Fayette locations. Marchant said he want to fully develop the AE officer role to make it as effective as possible in addressing the concerns of UIU students beyond Fayette. Marchant said, “With the recent changes on the Fayette campus, a $75 million capital improvement campaign, as well as the addition of new center locations and a growing international program, the need to hear the student voice has never been greater,” he added.
The role of UIU’s SGA is to represent the student body to faculty and administration; communicate constructive undergraduate opinions, as well as promote loyalty and pride in the University to current students, future students, and alumni.
For more information about Upper Iowa University, go to www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to nearly 6,800 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.