by Hailey Barrus-This week Morningside College will be electing a new president for the 2021-2022 school year. This year there are three gentlemen that are running for the position of president, Garrett Anderson, Garrett Arbuckle, and Collin Adank. With elections happening February 15-17th, that still leaves today and tomorrow to get out and vote for a candidate.
The Morningside Student Government is in charge of all other campus group activities including allocating money for the different events on campus. In the last week the three runners participated in a debate Sunday night, and each were interviewed for the Collegian Reporter to get a better understanding as to why they were running for the position.
Garrett Arbuckle, is a sophomore Political Science major with a minor in legal studies who is running for the position of Student Government President. Arbuckle has been an active member of the Student Government on campus since the fall of his freshman year.
When asked about what his campaign’s message is most passionate about Arbuckle stated, “I want to bridge the gap between students and Student Government by making the organization a more welcoming place for all students.”
He also stated he wants student government to do a better job at making sure all the concerns of students are being addressed. “I want to push the diversity committee to do the best possible so that all students feel like Morningside is a home”, Arbuckle continued.
Arbuckle is also seasoned as an executive for the student government and encourages students to get more involved, even if that means taking some time to check out the Morningside Minutes of the weekly student government meetings.
Another candidate looking to run for President is sophomore hopeful, Collin Adank. Adank is a second year nursing major on Morningside’s campus and has been actively involved in student government since his freshman year as well as several other groups on campus including; Active Minds, Campus Ministry, College Choir, External Relations, Morningside Student Nurses Association, Pre-professional Health Club, and Resident Life.
“I am truly looking forward to the opportunity, if elected, to work with the Diversity Club, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, as well as the Office of Student life to update policy and provide a more welcoming and inclusive community for Morningside students”, Adank stated.
Adank’s campaign runs on promoting respect, positivity, and productivity to students. He is hopeful to strengthen relationships with student and faculty members in better portraying what it means to be a part of Student Government.
“I want to encourage all students to get out and participate in student government and vote February 15th through the 17th, and come to me with any ideas or concerns you want to see implemented on campus”, said Adank.
Finally the last of the candidates is Garrett Anderson, sophomore with junior status, is also running for Student Government President. Anderson is currently a Political Science and International Relations double major who is in his second term as a student senator and also active in several music ensembles in both vocal and band performance on campus.
“We are very passionate about how strong our ground campaign has been. I have spent hours talking to students all over campus, at all times during the day to hear what they have to say. In my thinking, I want to hear what they have to say for themselves, and the best way to do that is to speak to students of all age levels, majors, and activities. I am very happy with our progress thus far” Anderson said.
When asked what he would like to accomplish as Student Government President Anderson claimed that he would like to do a better job at making sure that even if students disagree on topics that each voice is getting equally heard and represented. Anderson said he enjoys a solid debate, and loves when student senators get passionate about an issue during a student government session, but wants to make sure that people’s personal emotions don’t get in the way of legislation that could benefit the student body.
Check out the Collegian Reporter’s story over the debates to catch a glimpse at what each candidate’s campaign platforms are running on. Keep an eye out for a follow up story about the results of this election on the Collegian Reporter.
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