The Student Government Association will be holding fall elections April 16 and 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Students will be electing a president and four vice presidents. In addition voting for the 12 students running for the 15 open seats in the senate. No one is running for the Judicial Council.
Students can vote both on and off campus. Computer terminals will be available for voting from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days in the University Center and Norse Commons lobbies.
Students are free to “write in” candidates not listed on the ballot. Listed below are descriptions and pictures of the Executive Candidates on the ballot are listed here.
The following information, has been taken from the candidates’ applications.
Presidential candidates
Gabe Cronon Junior speech communication major
He is currently the vice president of Student Involvement for SGA. He has also served as the president of Norse Leadership Society and College Democrats. Other positions include vice president of programming for Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, vice president of public relations for Norse Leadership Society and Freshman Service Leadership Committee. He is also the co-director of the Northern Kentucky Leadership Institute.
If elected, Cronon will give SGA an open mind that will represent all students; involved, not involved, traditional and non-traditional. He has a passion for NKU and said he sincerely cares about the success of the university and its students. He said that is what would drive him as a student regent and SGA president. He can offer experience, pride and optimism.
Anthony Gulla Senior organizational leadership major
He is currently the executive vice president for SGA and was a senator in the University Improvements Committee from spring 2005 to spring 2007. He was also an office administrator in SGA from fall 2006 to spring 2007. Some of his other positions include external vice president of Norse Leadership Society and Student Alumni Association, vice president of Intrafraternal Council and mentor for Freshman Service Leadership Committee.
Gulla feels well educated about NKU and its faculty, staff and administration. He has been involved in NKU organizations for four years, three and a half of which he commuted. He said he is aware of student concerns and has been greatly involved in the last three years with SGA.
Executive vice-presidential candidates
Melissa Koppenhoefer Junior political science major
She has served on the senate since January 2008. Some of her other positions include president of Leadership Mentors.
Koppenhoefer ran for SGA senate in the fall, and did so to represent all the needs of the students. She wants to lead students into the 41st year of NKU. She said she has successfully worked with multiple organizations and students, thus helping to create unity and pride on campus.
Elizabeth Coleman Junior biology major
She has experience as the president of Delta Zeta sorority and secretary of Student Alumni Association.
If elected, Coleman feels as though she will bring an open mind to SGA. She will also bring a positive attitude and an undying love for her alma mater.
VP of administration
Shauna Prentice Sophomore middle grades education major
She is currently the vice president of administration for SGA. Some of her other positions includes vice president of member education for Kappa Delta sorority and co-advisor for Freshman Service Leadership Committee.
Prentice said the vice president of administration job takes time to adjust to in terms of efficiency. Having held the position for one year, she feels as though she has the experience to make the position better. She said she is a fair and understanding person, so it would be easy for students and to relate to her and approach her on certain issues that affect them.
VP of public relations candidates
Tracy Osborne Freshman pre-medicine major
She was elected to the Senate in fall 2007. Some of her other positions include Devou Boys Home Committee Head and secretary for Kappa Delta sorority.
If elected, Osbourne can offer her creativity and integrity to the position of public relations. She said she is very committed to all she does and hopes to show that dedication as well as student government experience if elected.
Mike Roark Junior marketing major
He has served as an Senator on the Finance Committee and Student Rights Committee. He was also awarded “new member of the year.” Some of his other positions include treasurer for Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, vice president for Collegiate Entrepreneurs and marketing developer for CincyTech.
As a member of SGA, Roark can provide his marketing and public relations experience. Furthermore, he can provide his SGA experience for new members. He also has experience working with large budgets as SGA does.
Erica Conroy Sophomore graphic design major
She has served as a SGA senator since fall 2007. Some of her other positions include secretary for Delta Zeta sorority, vice president of programming for Panhellenic, fundraising chair for Schools for Schools and NKU Hoxworth Blood Drive Coordinator.
If elected, Conroy believes she can bring a very positive attitude and a fresh perspective to the executive cabinet. Some of her goals include getting NKU and SGA’s name out in the local community and raising Norse pride. She said SGA is a growing organization and deserves to have great promotion and recognition for its achievements.
VP of student involvement candidates
Kevin Reynolds Sophomore English literature major
Some of his positions include rush and advertising chair for Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, advisor for Freshman Service Leadership Committee, vice president of philanthropy for Intrafraternal Council, co-director for Northern Kentucky Leadership Institute and co-leader for the Northern Kentucky Leadership fall retreat.
If elected, Reynolds said he would run the Student Organization Board meeting in a very effective way, insuring a year of less overlapping events. He feels he would be a great asset to sit on the Fee Allocation Board because he knows student involvement. As an employee of the office of Student Life, he said he could bridge a gap between the two governing bodies of Student Involvement.
Kaeli Wilke Sophomore international affairs major
Some of her positions include vice president of communications for Delta Gamma sorority, founding member of Dance Marathon 200, council member of Greek Judicial Board and former University of Kentucky president of Blanding IV dormitory.
Although Wilke is new to campus, she feels that she has engaged in various organizations that have allowed her to interact with a unique and diverse group of students. If elected, she said she could benefit SGA because she would have the ability to get options from students with different views, all of which could benefit SGA.
Senate candidates
Chris Tinsley
Bradley Dickerson
William Raglin
Michael Tobergta
Josh Bohl
Christopher Ruth
Rodney Moore
Chander Bhola
Joe McGinnis
Igor Ristic
Cassandra Haynes
Dennis Chaney
Editor’s note: The Northerner does not endorse any of preceding candidates.
Information compiled by News Editor Jennifer Corbett.