Junior Josh Andrew was elected senior class president of the 2013-14 senior class on Wednesday.
“It’s such a cliché to say that I am humbled by this, but the truth is I am,” he said. “There are high expectations when you know that you are representing a group that you care so much about.”
The juniors cast their votes on Tuesday and Wednesday for the students who would represent them on the senior committee. The officers are responsible for planning all senior class events, choosing a senior gift, deciding on a commencement speaker, and organizing the future class reunions.
Andrew has already begun to think about what he wants to say to his fellow seniors when they graduate in May of 2014.
“I think it would be easy to just give personal anecdotes about my time here,” he said. “But I want to talk to my peers and count myself among them. I want to encourage people to fulfill what they came here to do – refinement of self for the sake of others.”
Garrett Holt will serve as Andrew’s vice president. The new secretary is Emily Whitmer; the treasurer is Kat Holt; and the social chairperson is Emily Quint.
Previous Senior Class President Lauren Grover will pass the gavel to Andrew at Spring Convocation today. This signifies the official transition to the new officers.
Andrew’s responsibilities will include presiding at all senior class committee meetings, coordinating programs during his senior year, and giving the invocation at Convocation and the speech at Commencement.
Andrew does not want a politician to speak at the 2014 commencement.
“I want someone who has been to campus and knows the zeitgeist of the school,” he said.
Andrew, who is an English major, edits the Tower Light, works as a Student Affairs Mentor, leads the youth group at College Baptist Church, and serves as a scholarship speaker for the Hillsdale Debate Team.
Garrett Holt, a history major, is also a resident assistant in Simpson Residence, coordinates the Simpson Bible Study, is an independent representative on Student Federation, plays on the club soccer team, serves on the Unite team, and works as a student ambassador and on security.
His responsibilities as vice president include coordinating class elections, such as Outstanding Senior Man and Woman and Professor of the Year, submitting names for Commencement speaker, and introducing winners at the President’s Graduation Dinner.
“My first reaction was sheer excitement that I saw that Josh Andrew was president,” he said. “I was excited that I would have the opportunity to serve under such a fine gentleman.”
Garrett Holt is also pleased to represent his senior class. He said that the class of 2014 is unique in its ability to be involved on campus and remain connected to each other. He reminded his fellow juniors to “stay sweet.”
Whitmer is a music major with a concentration in vocal performance. She is a member of the choir and the chamber choir, Catholic Society, Sigma Alpha Iota women’s honorary, and Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity. She also works at A.J.’s Café.
Whitmer is responsible for the publicity of cenior class events and will take notes at meetings.
Kat Holt, an international business major, is a tower dancer, works as a student ambassador, is a supervisor for the phone-a-thon call team, and is member of Pi Beta Phi fraternity.
Kat Holt will submit a budget for the senior class, work with the Student Federation on financial decisions, and coordinate the cenior class gift.
“I want to use all of our money to benefit the students and not to waste anything,” she said.
Emily Quint is a marketing-management major, who is on the cheer team, is a volunteer for Student Activities Board, works as a student ambassador, and is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity.
As social chairperson, Quint will establish a committee for social events and plan and coordinate social functions, such as senior tailgate party, senior dinner dance, the sidewalk painting, and senior night out.
Andrew said that he would work to represent the class to his best ability.
“I respect the other candidates in the election too much not to take it seriously,” he said.
