KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2011 / NEWS
7A
Student senate candidate biographies
Editor's note: The following biographies provide background information on candidates in the Student Senate elections slated for Wednesday and Thursday. Because the biographies were provided by the candidates and coalitions, The University Daily Kansan does not take responsibility for the views, opinions and information contained.
ARCHITECTURE
Dani McClain (Renew KU)
Sophomore
St. Louis, Mo.
I want to bring a fresh view to Student Senate since I have not been involved before.
I would like to be able to represent the School of Architecture, Design and Planning in
a new way, as well as investigate exactly what our student fees are being used for.
Lauryn Reinhart (KUnited)
Sophomore,
Kansas City, Mo
The reason I really want to be elected is to help the students in the architecture school. Last year I ran as a freshman/sophomore
candidate, and it was a good first experience in Senate. I'm excited now to be running for the school of architecture, and hoping that I can help and make change for students who are going through the same trials and tribulations as me.
Jake Banton (KUnited)
Architecture students are some of the busiest students on campus and sometimes work
gets in the way of play. If elected, I would work to not only help SADP students make their work environment more convenient and comfortable, but to make it as easy as possible for them to take advantage of their free time when the opportunity presents itself.
Leawood
Erin Hylton (Renew KU)
My top priority is finding out where exactly the money students are
investing into college is going, especially architecture and design students. We pay extra for classes and spend an uncontrollable amount of supplies every year. My question is, what exactly are we paying for? For many of us we pay for an individual space, but what about the students that don't use that space for several years? I want to show every individual student what exactly they are paying for and how their money is being used during the course of our education.
BUSINESS
Nick Patton (KUnited)
Freshman Olathe
I have been in Senate since the first couple weeks of being at the University and am determined to continue making the University a better place to be a Jayhawk. I love the KU campus and the KU students. I look forward to continuing the great work being done by KUnited.
Alex Bates (Renew KU)
Sophomore Lenexa
I have been involved in Student Senate for a year now and I have decided to run for
senator because I have had a great
time this year. I have met so many great people through Student Senate, not only senators but students that I most likely wouldn't have met otherwise. I love meeting new people and getting to know them. This is why I would love to be elected for senator. I love talking and working with other students on issues, platforms and all the possible ways we could improve our already great university.
Rian Simpson (KUnited)
Mission Hills
I have succeeded in demonstrating classroom proficiency in my time at at
the University thus far, earning a GPA of 3.93 in my first two years. My leadership skills have been molded and enhanced by attending leadership workshops and serving various clubs on campus, many of which I guide as an executive officer. Furthermore, I possess confidence, poise and an open mind that enables me to communicate effectively with others and create a comfortable, yet motivated environment.
Caroline Godfrey (Renew KU)
EDUCATION
Leawood Student Senate is where we come together as Jayhawks and address the problems on our
campus. I believe that Student Senate holds the potential to help all of our students have a better day-to-day experience at the University. I believe that RenewKU has both the ideas to make these improvements and the knowhow to accomplish them. I look foreword to working hard next year to make these changes.
Alex Muninger (KUnited)
Salina
I have been a part of many things great here on campus.
I have been
the member of the club baseban team for two years. I have served on many boards throughout my time at the University such as women's and non-revenue sports, campus safety, legal services for students, athletics advisory committee and many more. I participated in the finance committee for three years, and I currently am the executive secretary for Student Senate.
Brad Rector (KUnited)
Junior
Overland Park
I am running to be a school of education senator, and I know that I am qualified and ready to hold this position. I have
been a senator for three years and I have also been on the Student Senate executive staff. I also enjoy many simple pleasures, such as "Seinfeld," my porch and Dr. Pepper.
ENGINEERING
Benjamin Buy (Renew KU) Freshman Spring Hill If elected as engineering representative, I would make sure that the
money used to fund future research and projects which would be distributed out evenly among the engineering groups as opposed to the current system were some organizations receive more funds than others. I would always be open to hear new ideas from fellow engineers to better improve the engineering community at the University.
Benjamin Buyanovsky
Scott Mitchell (Renew KU)
I am running for representative of the School of Engineering because my involvement in the SELF Fellows program. Engineering Student Council and AiCHE has given me here I have come to understand the needs of engineering students and what must be done to improve their lives on campus. If elected, I will strive to make that improvement happen.
Megan Ketchum (KUnited)
Junior Ottawa
I am extremely involved throughout the School of Engineering and have been
on engineering student council where I have been a coordinator for the engineering expo for the past two years. I want to continue to be a student senator representing the school that I love and allow the organizations I represent the opportunity to receive all that they need.
Justin Christian (KUnited)
Topeka
I currently am involved in engineering student council and board of class officers. I
am also the president and founder of the Kansas Sustainability Initiative. I will stop at nothing till a goal is accomplished. If elected I promise to be the voice of the School of Engineering and make sure the engineering voice is heard on the senate floor.
David Catt (KUnited)
I think I would be a good student senator because I care strongly about making the University a better place. I am involved in multiple student organizations such as the University Honors Program, freshman leadership council and the men's golf team. I have already been on a study abroad trip. Being a student senator would definitely further enrich my college experience and be a great opportunity.
Brady Maasen (Renew KU) Junior
Here is a quick story:
When I was in high school, my brother was not responsible
with his money. I spent many a night listening to my parents yell at him for over-drafting his account. Then and there, I decided that I would never have trouble with money, and thus have become very responsible in this regard. I promise I will manage the budget to the best of my ability if elected for Student Senate.
GRADUATE STUDIES
tions in the successful lobbying effort to change the "10-semester rule" and I have worked with other senators in the development of the Graduate Student Advisory Board. As an incumbent senator, I will continue, to represent the graduate student voice in university governance and actively advocate for more institutional support for research and professional development.
In the past, I have worked with several graduate student organiza-
Jake Rapp (Renew KU)
Spanish and Portuguese
field, Col.
Amit Patel (KUnited)
Film and media studies
Houston, Texas
Spanish and Portuguese
As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, I will work to ensure that the Universitymain-
tains its status as one of the elite research universities in the country. I believe my past experiences as a congressional staffer and a higher education advocate in Washington, D.C. can bring distinctive insight into improving graduate student life at the University. If elected, I promise to actively encourage input from all graduate students on the specific issues that matter to them.
Zachary Ingle (KUnited)
Film and media studies
Loop, Texas
I am running as a graduate representative for the Student Senate because I bring a wealth of collegiate experiences from previous universities I have attended. My past experience as a staff member in the libraries also offers me a perspective that few other candidates have. I want to serve the KU community and help it continue to be an environment that fosters learning, collegiality and lifelong friendships.
Kristina Youngblood (Renew KU)
Emily Pabst
Geography
Geography Columbia, Mo
I believe that increased collaboration between graduate students and undergraduates has the potential to benefit
everyone on this campus. Graduate students can provide advice to undergraduates who are considering graduate school from someone who has been in their shoes, and undergraduates can help graduates learn both about their fields and the best way to teach. Renew KU's graduate mentorship program accomplishes these goals and more.
Mark Pacey (Renew KU)
Mechanical engineering Manhattan
As chair of the finance committee, I have seen the difference that Student Senate fees can make
in the daily lives of students. From providing transportation to funding groups to bring in speakers, there's hardly a single event on this campus that Senate has not had a hand in. I feel that Renew KU and Senate hold the potential to grow this influence even more.
Se Yool Oh (Renew KU)
Aerospace engineering
Jinhua, South Korea
Through my years at the University, I have received many benefits from other students and the University, I
believe that it is time for me to show my gratitude to other student and to the University. I also believe that every student deserves one snapshot of student success on and off campus every day. This vital opportunity helps me take a picture of every student's voice and develop it.
Derek Glasgow (Renew KU)
Winfield
Graduate
Political Science
I am a current Graduate Senator and a member of the Political Science Graduate Association and
Environs. I believe firmly in a Stu
dent Senate that includes all students on this campus. I believe Graduate Students are underrepresented in Student Senate and believe that Renew KU will work to make Graduate Student voices heard.
Felix Zacharias (Renew KU)
Political science
Wikimedia
Wichita
I have faithfully served KU students for more than three years now as a senator, and before that I served
my country as a Marine. I believe in ethically serving my fellow students and have stayed in Senate to make sure that fair governance is what you receive.
Steven Davis (KUnited)
Gaithersburg, Ma
Since the University is a research oriented
once the 8 search-oriented institution, it is important to have both undergraduate and graduate researchers from all fields
represented in the Senate to provide more balanced opinions on issues and bills. Therefore, as a graduate researcher in biology, I hope to contribute to the University's goal of academic excellence by representing and reinforcing the ideas and needs of student researchers not only in science but in all research-based disciplines.
Mary Mba (Renew KU)
French
Nigeria
I am a firm believer in learning what happens outside of the class room. Doing research and
connecting with different types of people is one of the best ways for students to learn. Renew KU's research funding proposals combined with their vision for how Senate should operate serves to advance both of these goals by allowing students to learn in senate and through the resources that it can provide.
Lenexa
Erin Pishny (KUnited)
As a recent graduate and the former Student Senate treasurer, I love working with students and helping make their ideas
make their ideas a reality.
Kellee Kirkpatrick (Renew KU)
Political science
Ellinwood
student seni-
rate primar-
ily exists to give
students the
representation
and logistical
support that
they deserve.
Right now we are holding back our student groups from accomplishing all that they can by not helping them work through our process. It is essential that we work to simplify these rules and to ensure that all student groups, regardless of how well connected they may be, can attain funding from Senate.
JOURNALISM
Marcus Hollinger (Renew KU)
Junior
Olathe
I am passionate about including new groups into Senate's funding process and representing their interests.
Student Senate all too often works with the same groups of people on the same problems every day. This disenfranchises student groups who don't have connections and that's wrong. I believe that I, along with Renew KU, can work to fix this problem, and bring real inclusion to Student Senate.
Jeff Hubrig (Renew KU)
Knoxville, Ten.
I am running for Student Senate because I'm passionate about the University and want to do everything I can to make positive
changes across campus. I believe that student senators bear the responsibility of listening to the student body's suggestions and working to make them come to fruition. If elected I plan to take advantage of the opportunity to represent our student body and will work hard to make lasting, positive changes for the students.
Zack McQuiston (KUnited)
Sophomore
Shawnee
I've been involved in journalism since high school. Since I've been at the University, I've gotten involved in a lot of other organizations, like SUA and dance marathon. Now, I would love a chance to represent the School of Journalism in Student Senate. If elected, I will work on issues relevant to journalism students, such as reducing general education hours and promoting Jayhawk Graphics, which can provide great work experience for prospective graphic artists and advertisers.
Oak Grove, Mo
Whitlee Douthitt (KUnited)
Junior
I am the current student senator for the School of Journalism and I am excited to be running with KUunited again
this year. I love being a part of the KUNited coalition because of the traditions and values that we share. I want to continue to make positive changes to the University, bettering the overall student experience and Jayhawk tradition. I have enjoyed seeing our platforms become a reality for this campus and can't wait to do it again.
LAW
Sioux City, Iowa
Sean Galloway (KUnited)
Sioux City, Iowa
During my time attending the University I've been a resident assistant. com
munications director and DJ for KJHK, a participant in the University's traffic court and a member of the
Kansas and American Bar Associations. I was student body vice president of my high school and look forward to being a part of Student Senate and advocating for the interests of my fellow law students.
Nate Behncke (Renew KU) Manhattan
Manhattan
I want to work to ensure that Student Senate has a functioning set of rules that we make sure to follow.
Currently we make exceptions for groups that have connections and that's not fair. We should make sure that our rules are followed or we should change them. I also firmly believe in being good stewards of Student's money. These are goals I believe Renew KU can accomplish.
Adam Mark Orosco (KUnited)
San Francisco, California
I graduated from the University of California, San Diego. Currently I am a KU law student and I hold office as the
third-year class president. Today, I join the great KUnited team at the frontier of imagination and innovation. It is an honor for me to run with KUnited as a law school candidate and I look forward to making the student's vision a realization.
SEE SENATE ON PAGE 8A
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