Senate and Class Officer Elections are Underway
The Student Senate flag flies above Penn Hall (Photo courtesy of Gettysburg College)
Compiled by Gauri Mangala, Managing Editor
The elections for Student Senators and Class Officers has begun. Below are the candidates unedited statements of purpose:
Class of 2021
Senator
Abigail Hauer
Throughout my tenure at Gettysburg College, I have prided myself on being a member of Student Senate. I joined Senate during the beginning of my first-year spring semester to seek both amends and change from the college administration in response to the Hanson Hall mold situation. As a former resident of Hanson Basement, I was appalled by the College’s initial handling of the mold situation and knew something needed to be done to rectify the situation not just for myself, but for all residents of Hanson Hall. After joining Senate in response to the situation and working to ensure the voices of Hanson Hall residents were heard in Senate, I saw firsthand how Senate can bring about change to better Gettysburg College.
Now, nearly two years since joining, I am looking to continue my membership in Senate to enact more changes to improve Gettysburg College, and I believe such changes can be initiated through having dialogues with a diverse group of voices. First, I want to foster a dialogue among the campus community about the College’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students, including myself who was studying abroad in Nepal, have struggled since being sent off campus to finish out this semester. Through Senate, I want to provide students a voice in the discussions the College will have about how the COVID-19 situation was handled and how it can be handled in a better, more equitable manner for future students if something like this were to happen again. Second, I want to promote discussions about the presence of Greek life on campus. While the Senate Committee on Greek Life was a start to fostering a stronger relationship between Greek and non-Greek students, more voices need to be involved in the dialogue to build a bridge between the two communities. As someone who was but now is not a member of Greek life, I believe I offer a unique perspective to begin fostering such discussions. Finally, I want to initiate a dialogue about the weight of student opinion in professors’ tenure processes. Gettysburg College prides itself on having phenomenal professors, but student opinions regarding new professors moving through the tenure process tend to be either diminished or completely ignored. Thus, the College has lost amazing professors that changed students’ lives. I want to work with the administration to increase the weight of student opinions of professors up for tenure so that the College does not lose any more remarkable professors.
If I am elected to Student Senate, I aim to not only be a voice for students of the class of 2021, but to promote hearing others’ voices so that more perspectives can be present in Senate. I want Senate to have important dialogues, ranging from the coronavirus, to Greek life, to the professor tenure process. I want such discussions to lead to tangible changes that members of the class of 2021 hope to see during our last year on campus so that future students can have a Gettysburg experience that is better than ours.
Taylor Rush
Hello, my name is Taylor Rush & I would like for you to vote for me as a 2021 Senator. I wish to serve the Gettysburg community in this position because I believe that I can help create positive changes on campus by engaging in open dialogue about student issues. This is something that I already do in my role as a Resident Assistant on campus. I plan and implement programs to help assist students as they transition into the Gettysburg community including addressing diversity & personal development. I have experience managing administrative duties as well. Developing a positive floor environment is one way that I try to create a positive Gettysburg College environment. In my position as a Senator, I would like to collaborate with other students/organizations to ensure that Gettysburg College feels like home for all students.
Vote Taylor for Senate! Thank you!
Ryan Sipple
When I first joined Student Senate in the spring of our sophomore year, I saw an opportunity for me to play my part in serving the student body and making Senate a place that gets things done for everybody. A year later, I’m more confident than ever both in what Senate can accomplish and what I can do to make us more effective. In my work with the College Life and Advisory Committee and Diversity Committee, I have tried to be an advocate on issues while keeping an open mind to the opinions of other Gettysburgians. From the Eisenhower Institute’s Strategy and Leadership program to my upcoming role as the President of Prism, I have demonstrated the leadership skills needed to continue fighting for the issues that matter most to students.
Nadine Snyder
Throughout my time at Gettysburg College, I have been deeply invested in the work that Student Senate has done to improve the lives of students on campus. I was a resident of Hanson basement my freshman year, and had to move out midyear due the mold problem. When the school would not provide us with the priority housing lottery numbers that they had previously promised us, student Senators defended our cause and worked until we regained our priority numbers. The activist spirit of Senate inspired me to run for a position so that I could help other students if they experienced similar circumstances. My sophomore year I had the privilege of being a Senator at large, and of being the co-chair of the Safety and Sustainability Committee. Through my committee I was able to meet with Mike Bishop, the director of Bullet, to discuss with him ways that dining services at Gettysburg College can become more sustainable. I also worked with the Opinions Committee to pass an Opinion that the school should discontinue the use of plastic bags at all dining facilities. This Opinion, along with the actions of other Gettysburg College students inspired Bullet to start charging 10 cents per plastic bag. This action has decreased the number of plastic bags used from almost 500 per day to 10-20 per day. If reelected to student senate I would like to continue my efforts to make the school more sustainable. I would push for environmental education to be included in first year orientation, so that students would know recycling rules in Pennsylvania and other important sustainability information. I would also push for the college to make all new buildings LEED certified and for them to consider investing in more renewable energy sources such as solar panels. I would also make sure to attend as many senate sponsored events as possible, to make more connections on campus. This way I could connect more individuals to senate, so that they could advocate for others as well.
Class Vice President
Emma Padrick ’21
As Vice President of the Class of 2021, I hope to serve our class and the campus community as a whole through strong leadership and open, friendly communication. I bring substantial experience to the position, having served as your Vice President for two years and as Class President of my high school for two years. Subsequently, I am well-versed in class leadership and confident in my ability to serve in this position again.
As a member of the Executive Board, I plan to foster a strong Class of 2021 identity and ensure that our senior year is meaningful even amid the current global crisis. Our class has looked forward to this year from the moment we set foot on campus, and events such as the 100 days party and commencement are integral aspects of the Gettysburg experience. As your Vice President, I will ensure that our Executive Board works to create a senior year experience that is just as enjoyable and rewarding, even though that may look different than anticipated. We are in this together, and I am confident that our class will continue to Do Great Work as we rise to the current challenge.
Class Secretary
Brooke Newell
Over the past three years, I have had the opportunity to serve as the secretary for the class of 2021. I wish to continue serving as secretary because I have the previous experience and passion for ensuring senior year is the greatest one yet. My biggest goal is to advocate for higher extracurricular involvement amongst students by organizing and fundraising for events like 100 nights party, senior wine tasting, etc. Senior year is about cherishing the time left with friends and classmates. I believe my organization skills, creativity, and pragmatic mindset, will help me to create and encourage more student engagement and inclusion across the senior class.
Class of 2022
Senator – Fall
Shane Carley
I’d like to run for the position of Class Senator as I believe I can use this as an opportunity to continue improving the wellbeing of the campus community. In my first year at Gettysburg College, I served as a Senator At-Large where I was a member of the Budget, Policy, and CLAC committees. At the end of my first year, I was elected to serve as the Parliamentarian on the Executive Board. In this position, I hosted the Policy Committee, held the general Senate meetings to the Roberts Rules of Order, and amended our Senate Constitution to help establish a more inclusive, orderly, and professional environment within the organization. However, once my term as Parliamentarian has concluded, I do not believe that my responsibility in the Student Senate would be fulfilled. I would like to take the chance this next academic semester to return to the position of Senator, so that I may have the opportunity to vote and lend a voice to each and every student on campus. As Senator, I will ensure that the Student Senate can continue to expand in its practices of inclusivity and become a more comfortable place to all groups of people, as well as focus on the development of the organization as one of positive, necessary, and instrumental change.
Sydney Siegel
For the past two semesters, I have served as the political affinity group leader in student senate, meaning I represent all of the political clubs on campus as a whole. I have enjoyed holding this position greatly, and want to continue my time in student senate as a class senator. My goal is to accurately represent the values and opinions of my fellow members of the class of 2022, and make improvements to our already great campus, including making the campus greener and more inclusive.
John “Rock” Swartz
I think I would do a more than adequate job. I have 2 years of experience as a senator as well as an exceptional track record as the CLAC chair. I am known as liked by all and fair- able to see both sides to every argument.
Senator – Spring
Courtney Cholewa
I wish to serve as a Senator for the Class of 2022 to continue making a positive impact on the campus community by advocating for the voices of the Junior class as well as the entire student body. I began being involved in the Student Senate as a First-Year Senator and then went on to be elected to my current role as Clubs Liaison on the Executive Board. Over the past academic year, I have gained student governing experience by attending various meetings through the Executive Board as well as the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life. My dual position between the Senate and OSAGL allowed me to meet with students who are passionate about their clubs and organizations as well as their leadership roles and involvement. I intend on continuing to advocate for the inclusion of these clubs and organizations within senate, and the celebration of their diverse voices as well as the celebration of minority voices such as students of color, first-generation students, and low-income students. In addition to my positions in Senate, I have held a leadership position in my Sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. This position allowed me to understand how to work with an even larger executive board, as well as an organization with a more individualized focus. With Greek Life experience as well as student government experience, I intend on building discussion and encouraging bridging the gap between non-Greek Life students and those involved in Greek Life.
Giacomo Coppola
Serving as Treasurer has been one of my most fulfilling experiences here at Gettysburg. Before joining Student Senate, I had no grasp on the depth of influence that the representative body had. Any doubts I had immediately dissipated as soon as I realized that, despite what some may say, Student Senate works tirelessly against institutional barriers to accomplish change. I think most Gettysburgians are familiar with the adage: “Student Senate Works For You”. Unfortunately, most do not know of it for its sincerity but for its irony. In other words, people do not believe that Senate does anything. Of course, anyone in senate knows the opposite. We manage club money, sponsor activities, act as a voice, pass opinions, and much more. The problem is not that Senate does not do anything, it is that we do not advertise what we do well enough. If I were reelected as a Senator, it would be my priority to broadcast to campus all of the amazing things we do. We need more voices and opinions in Senate, but to do that we need to rid campus of the general apathy towards the body. It is a continual process that requires constant initiatives, and I hope I get the opportunity to address it.
Alexandros Economou-Garcia
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a Senator for the Class of 2022 was the representation of fellow students, especially in student government matters. Listening to the concerns of my peers has allowed me to bring in new perspectives to the Senate, and has changed the outcomes of budgets, amendments, and more. One of those was the voting down of an amendment making Senate attendance optional for club representatives, which would have diminished the lack of perspectives within Senate.
As a returning Senator for the class of 2022, I believe that more efforts must be made regarding transparency on topics of diversity, sustainability, and funding between the administration and students. I have been an avid supporter for all three topics, and have been one of the few Senators to push these issues both in and out of Senate. I wish to continue my work and represent the class of 2022. Other than being a Senator, I have held other leadership positions throughout my time on campus. One of them being Diveristy Chair of Senate, where I learned that there is still a lot of oppurtunities to be addressed on campus in regards to diversity and inclusion. One of my biggest achievements as Diversity Chair was pushing for dialogue between member and non-members of Greek Life to provide better communication and relations between both groups. Additionally, I have pushed for greater recognition for neurodiverse students by being an advocate for the creation of an office for student disabilities. If elected Senator, I plan to continue pushing for the initiatives mentioned above. Overall, I plan on continueing to be an energetic voice for the class of 2022, and for marginalized identities who are not represented in student government.
John “Rock” Swartz
I think I would do a more than adequate job. I have 2 years of experience as a senator as well as an exceptional track record as the CLAC chair. I am known as liked by all and fair- able to see both sides to every argument.
Sydney Quan
I believe I would be a valuable senator because as a senator, my voice is heard to make a difference and to improve campus life and wellbeing as it may fit. My involvement with senate has become two fold, in that I’ve had the privilege of knowing the behind the scenes of senate with my time on the executive board, while also fulfilling a committee chair role intentionally meant for two people. Ironically, in either of these positions, I have not had the ability to vote. I was once inducted as a senator the last week of my first year spring since the senate did not have quorum, but I would like the chance to truly earn voting rights in the senate for once. I believe in listening and being an active member to the campus community, and using this to make informed decisions towards a positive influence on senate and thus campus. In my previous work, I have tried my hardest to transition the senate to become a more welcoming and accepting environment for students to leave their concerns and share their interests, and it will still be my goal within the time I plan to be involved in the senate.
Class President
Andrew Adam
The Class of 2022 deserves a President who has fresh and innovative ideas on fundraising and doing new events that would help bring our class together. I have held this position in my first year at Gettysburg but did not hold the position during my sophomore year. At the time, the position did not have much organization and I had to work with multiple advisors in a short timespan to get anything done. For my junior year, I want to make it a year that counts for all the right reasons. I am aware of how the system works and have forged new ideas to bring to the forefront of our class and campus environments. Good people skills & teamwork, exceptional communication, and positive leadership are keys to success for this position, and I strongly believe I possess all three. As an Eagle Scout, I completed Unity Park in Gettysburg, which required a lot of teamwork and careful thinking to execute. I collaborated with a diverse group of people consisting of all types of backgrounds, occupations, and experiences to complete the project. I found very quickly that when you do the right things, with the right people, for the right reasons, the right result will come about. I believe that by applying this philosophy with fellow class officers, we are poised to have a successful year. Coming back to Gettysburg in this Fall will be unlike any other Fall Semester in the history of our beloved campus. If I am elected, I am confident myself, and my fellow elected officers, will lead our class towards a successful new beginning.
Class of 2022 – Unity Begins with U.
Class Vice President
Ingrid Bayer
This year, I had the amazing opportunity to serve as Vice President of the Class of 2022 and thoroughly enjoyed working with the other officers to be positive representatives of our class. If elected as vice-president for a second year, I would want to continue representing our class in a positive light and work closely with the other officers and our faculty advisors to provide the best opportunities for the junior class and work towards supporting an ever evolving and progressive environment at Gettysburg College.
Class of 2023
Senator
Anna Benson
When I was first elected to serve as a Senator for the class of 2023 last fall, I was a wide-eyed first year with no concrete understanding of how Student Senate, or Gettysburg College, really worked. Now, after spending a year (or rather, three fourths of a year) on campus, I have learned exactly why I love Gettysburg and all the unique qualities that make our campus so special – however, a year has also showed me the flaws that exist and need to be fixed. I wish to serve as class senator for a second year to continue to make to make Gettysburg a more positive place as an approachable and involved senator who is able to voice the opinions and concerns of the class of 2023 as a whole. I am an involved member of campus, working with both the Center for Public Service and the Eisenhower Institute. I have participated in CAB events, GRAB trips, and frequently attend sports games, performances and club events to support my peers. This has connected me to a wide range of students and organizations on campus and allows me to voice a diverse set of opinions and concerns on the senate floor. I am also passionate about making mental health resources more accessible and visible on campus. This past year, as a part of the College Life Advisory Committee, I helped bring together the Wellness Fair – an event which brought together a variety of professors, organizations and resources on campus to increase their visibility and start a conversation surrounding mental health and well-being on campus. If elected to continue my position as class senator, I will keep working to make mental health resources more available on campus.
Ashleigh Blackwell
I wish to serve as a senator for the Class of 2023. This organization provides us with the necessary tools to make the changes we need to see in our school. As a student worker who works with students who work two or three jobs to afford the exorbitant cost of our school, I believe it is time to raise the minimum wage. This will be a difficult process, but it is important that students, with already a vigorous course load, are not sacrificing a full college experience by being forced to work nearly full-time hours in order to pay their expenses.
I worked with Jess King who ran against Lloyd Smucker for US Congress. This experience allowed me to work with leaders in order to refine my skills in communication to speak with voters, especially those with opposing views. These skills will be beneficial as navigating a situation that looks expensive in the short run will be difficult to get people on board. However, with access to the administration and with the support of the student body that is inherent to student senate, this goal will be possible and allow us to hold administration accountable to the students.
Angelica Brenner
I am a Political Science and Public Policy Double Major, and as a Senator, I would want to improve the student experience at Gettysburg College. I feel an obligation to make the world a better place, and the small community of Gettysburg College is where I aim to begin that journey. I wish to serve in the Senate, because I am passionate about my goals as an elected official. I will work with students and administration in order to ensure that not only the voices of the students are heard but also that action is taken. Additionally, I want to foster inclusivity and diversity in the Senate by personally reaching out to marginalized groups and students who may feel excluded. One of my priorities is making the Senate a safe and inclusive space for students to have constructive conversations about their concerns.
During the beginning of this current school year, I joined Amnesty International and soon became an executive member with one of my duties being the club’s Senate representative. This sparked my interest in the Senate and it did not take long for me to further my involvement by attending weekly Senate Opinions Committee meetings. That being said, I would still like to further involve myself in the Senate by becoming an elected Senator.
Colin Hughes
I am running to be a Senator for the Class of 2023 because I want to build on the work I have done alongside my Senate colleagues as a Senator-At-Large. We have aimed at making Gettysburg College a just, anti-racist, and anti-materialistic institution. I believe everyone at Gettysburg College should be able to take advantage of all the opportunities available on campus without any obstacles due a student’s health status, income level, and ethnic or religious background. I believe that a College that prides itself in valuing “the worth and dignity of all people” and an “inclusive learning environment,” should actually do so. The advocacy that my allies and I have done so far are all centered around creating a more equitable campus for all. As a Senator-At-Large, I have advocated for improving and increasing access for the Disabled on campus, implementing an anti-bias program for incoming first-years, 24/7 access for Plan B contraceptives, and increasing the funding for the Student Emergency Fund. I have been an ally for creating a just and equitable campus with my policy vision as well as my unwillingness to compromise on issues that are fundamental to a student’s success. If elected Senator, I will help organize students around furthering and enforcing the policies we advocated last year as well as introduce new ones, such as making sure the Student Emergency Funds comprehensively covers all needed emergency medical care of students and increasing the funds for the Myra T. Herron Fund. Unfortunately, our time this past semester was cut short and stifled progress for key reforms needed on campus. However, if elected to serve as a Senator for the Class of 2023 next year, I will do everything in my power to not only advocate but implement these key reforms by organizing students and never relenting.
Harrison Moore
The phrase “Gettysburg Great” is not unfounded. In my time here, I have been able to witness first-hand what makes the Gettysburg community so amazing. That being said, I am the type to always seek further improvement, and since the Fall semester of 2019 I have served as a member of Senate with that goal in mind. The results of my passion are tangible: Senate has accomplished many great things this year, and I’m proud to say I was present for the implementation of each one. In addition to my Senate seat, I took up a position with the College Life Advisory Committee with the direct goal of acting upon student concerns. In my time on the committee, we have carried out many projects requested by the student body, for example the conversion of single-stall restrooms to a gender-neutral layout. Perhaps most notably of these was the College Life Advisory Committee Wellness Fair, an event dedicated to the wholistic welfare of the student body.
I am seeking reelection as a part of this quest to improve both myself and my community. There is more work to be done, and I will not rest until the concerns of the student body are fully addressed. Primarily, I want to tackle two issues over the next year of Senate. First, I would like to improve the communication between Senate and the student body. Many students feel as though Senate is an unapproachable entity; in reality, it should serve as a simple extension of their voice which bridges the population and the administration. The solution is simple, but ultimately lies on the shoulders of the Senators themselves – we must make ourselves more visible to our constituents, whether through more readily-available email conversations or frequent in-person meeting times. Both are strategies I plan to implement immediately, should I be reelected. Secondly, I would like to work with faculty through our ability to present opinions with the intent of addressing plans for a future pandemic. The efforts to ease the burden of this tragedy have come too little, too late, and we must ensure we are properly equipped, were this to happen again.
These are very divisive times, not just for the nation, but for the College as well. What I believe Student Senate needs the most are candidates with the information to suggest proper measures and the motivation to implement them. I humbly place my name forward as a Senator who has the experience needed to recognize these issues and a definitive track record of acting on solutions. Many candidates strive to uphold Gettysburg Great, but I, Harrison Moore, promise to make great, greater.
Abigail Roy
Through serving as a senator, I hope to positively represent the students of the Class of 2023 and to truly connect with them through online forums where they can voice their concerns to me directly. As someone who is a Biology major, I feel as if there should be more diverse academic perspectives in Senate from students with majors and interests that are not traditionally political science or public policy based. It is very important to me to be able to contribute my vote and represent the sciences and other academic disciplines that might feel less connected to Senate or aware of its critical impact on campus. I was grateful to be able to serve as a senator this past academic year, and truly valued the opportunity to contribute to meaningful discussions and vote on issues to better the college and enhance student experience. I am also involved on campus as an admissions tour guide, student researcher for the Biology department, and have done work with the Center for Public Service through Support Circles. The culmination of these experiences allow me to have an awareness that extends beyond campus and into the community, allowing me to think forwardly about what is best for the future years of students coming to Gettysburg. Talking to people and learning new perspectives has always been something that is of utmost importance to me, and I am always highly considerate of the feelings and input of my peers. I strive to connect to my classmates as a friendly, enthusiastic, and approachable representative for Senate, and next year more than ever, I want to reach out to students through social media platforms to inquire about issues that they want to see discussed more thoroughly. Senate should be all about academic, social, and cultural inclusivity, and as a senator, I want to bridge the gap that exists between the student body and the administration. In addition, I want to be able to use my experience in senate as a springboard to educate prospective students and families about student involvement during admissions tours and in information sessions. Ultimately, I want to serve as a positive representation of the students of Gettysburg College while also working diligently to “Do Great Work” for the current and future student body.
Pierce Susco
Hello, my name is Pierce Susco and I am running to become a senator for the class of 2023 at Gettysburg College. Last year as I ran for this position, I knew I wanted to make a positive impact on students. Looking back at my first statement of purpose, I heavily emphasized serving my class. That statement still rings true to me today and I believe my activism has shown during my last term.
I attempted to be present in a wide array of activities to understand and address concerns of students from many different backgrounds. I served on both the College Life Advisory Committee and the Senate Outreach Committee. Weekly, I would volunteer at the Campus Kitchen to create and store meals for those who needed it most in our community. I was also active in Model UN, Civil War Club, Gettysburg Recreational Adventure Board (GRAB), and even Rugby. This exposed me to multiple perspectives about a student’s experience at Gettysburg College. Everyone I interacted with, the students of Gettysburg College, further encouraged me to listen to and address their concerns. There are certainly students who become hesitant and even nervous when addressing their worries, and I have seen it.
However, I am the candidate who will let them be heard. I am the candidate who will speak for those who need a voice the most. I am the candidate who wants to make positive impacts for Gettysburg College and its future. I am the candidate who will make your vote and your trust in me, a worthy decision. And as I’ve said before, please vote. Your voice is your vote. Use your voice. Thank you.
Jenna Vadinsky
We are beyond lucky to attend a college where the Senate and Class Government are so involved and effective in their work. Serving as the Class of 2023’s Secretary in the 2019-2020 school year allowed me to partake in the efforts to ensure an enjoyable and memorable experience for every Gettysburg College student. I wish to continue these efforts, serving as your Class Senator and Class Vice President in the 2020-2021 term.
As Class Secretary, I gained valuable experience in cooperating with my fellow board members and balancing the class budget. Together, we planned a First-Year Fair in April that unfortunately never came to fruition due to the recent switch to remote – learning. It has come to my attention that students not involved in Greek life wish to have more options for activities on the weekend. As it is imperative to create an inclusive and enjoyable campus for all Gettysburg College students, I plan to make creating more non-Greek activities my one of my main goals for next school year.
I also find it necessary to create engaging and active social media platforms that connect the students of Gettysburg College with their Senate and Class Government organizations. By increasing the activity on these organizations’ social media, students will remain more informed of the great work we do and can easily offer more suggestions and changes they would like to see. After all, we are here to serve the people and there is no better way to ensure the Senate and Class Government work for all than to make sure everyone’s input is heard and considered.
Additionally, next year there are sure to be implications because of the COVID – 19 outbreak. I believe one of the most important roles for the Senate and Class Council to play is serving as a resource for both students and faculty. Whether it is aiding in the adjustment or offering important information, these unprecedented times call for these organizations to be there for the student body more than ever.
Miranda Zamora
Before Gettysburg, I studied in an environment that often disregarded the opinions of students who were “unpopular” or “different”. However, at Gettysburg, I feel a constant sense of inclusion and belonging. I have had the chance to create strong relationships with the faculty and students and I now see the Gettysburg community as my second family. As a senator, I hope to continue spreading positivity and inclusion throughout the community. I want to ensure that each student feels that they have a voice and that their voices will be heard. I did not run for a senate position in the fall, which I do regret; however, I do have previous student government experience. In high school, I served as a student government representative for all four years. I also served as a class of 2019 member at large, and eventually became class president. Besides student government, I also served as a peer facilitator and a peer mentor. As a peer facilitator, I worked with the students to assist them with their personal problems. Being a peer mentor, I worked to find solutions for the problems being faced by the student body as a whole. Give me the chance, and I will prove my dedication to our class and to our school. Thank you for your consideration! I hope everyone is staying well and I am thrilled to see everyone again in the fall!
Class President
Quentin Heise
This past year I have faithfully served as your Vice President. I have heard many ideas, including connecting all the TVs to cable, putting paper towels in all bathrooms, raising the minimum wage, and allowing people to take leftovers from Servo. As your President, I will provide an accessible link between the Class of 2023 and the Student Senate to help implement these suggestions and other suggestions that my fellow students have.
I spent several weeks with the other class officers this semester planning a fair in the Jaeger Center during a weekend in April to celebrate the class of 2023 becoming alumni in the Gettysburg community. Although our plans never became a reality, I have demonstrated that I can help create exciting events for our class. After hearing Rock Swartz speak on The Gettysburgian, I became aware that there are not many activities for non-Greek students to do on weekend nights. I was inspired to create more events, not just for our class, but ones inclusive to the whole student body. As President, I will be sure to use your input to determine which ones will be the most fun and engaging. Some of my ideas include color wars between graduating classes, group visits to our National Military Park, and life-size Cup Pong and Pacman!
Despite having never been in student government before Gettysburg, I have still proven to be an effective leader. In Boy Scouts, I played a crucial role in leading my troop to success by helping plan all of our weekend activities and by coordinating fundraising events. In fact, over 90% of our scouts earned Eagle, a rank that less than five percent of scouts achieve nationwide. As President, I will enthusiastically describe new events, aiming for high student participation rates at class activities. Not only will I help create a memorable college experience for everyone, but I will also dedicate myself to being President with both energy and passion. If you vote for me, I will go above and beyond and will not disappoint!
Class Vice President
Pierce Susco
Hello, my name is Pierce Susco and I am running to become the Vice President for the Class of 2023 at Gettysburg College. Last year as I ran for this position, I knew I wanted to make a positive impact on students. Looking back at my first statement of purpose, I heavily emphasized on serving my class. That statement still rings true to me today and I believe my activism has shown during my semesters.
I attempted to be present in a wide array of activities to understand and address concerns of students from many different backgrounds. I served on both the College Life Advisory Committee and the Senate Outreach Committee. Weekly, I would volunteer at the Campus Kitchen to create and store meals for those who needed it most in our community. I was also active in Model UN, Civil War Club, Gettysburg Recreational Adventure Board (GRAB), and even Rugby. This taught me multiple perspectives about the student’s experience at Gettysburg College. Everyone I interacted with, the students of Gettysburg College, further encouraged me to listen to and address their concerns. There are certainly students who become hesitant and even nervous when addressing their worries, and I have seen it. I am that candidate who will listen to and address what you care about.
However, there is also something I want to address this coming semester that I did not think of when first running. I want to set up hours, where members of the Class of 2023, and even others, can meet and talk with me. I want to become an outlet to which students feel comfortable talking to, as another member of their class. I truly do want to be a class officer who works for you. Until we see each other again, Go Bullets. Thank you.
Jenna Vadinsky
We are beyond lucky to attend a college where the Senate and Class Government are so involved and effective in their work. Serving as the Class of 2023’s Secretary in the 2019-2020 school year allowed me to partake in the efforts to ensure an enjoyable and memorable experience for every Gettysburg College student. I wish to continue these efforts, serving as your Class Senator and Class Vice President in the 2020-2021 term.
As Class Secretary, I gained valuable experience in cooperating with my fellow board members and balancing the class budget. Together, we planned a First-Year Fair in April that unfortunately never came to fruition due to the recent switch to remote – learning. It has come to my attention that students not involved in Greek life wish to have more options for activities on the weekend. As it is imperative to create an inclusive and enjoyable campus for all Gettysburg College students, I plan to make creating more non-Greek activities my one of my main goals for next school year.
I also find it necessary to create engaging and active social media platforms that connect the students of Gettysburg College with their Senate and Class Government organizations. By increasing the activity on these organizations’ social media, students will remain more informed of the great work we do and can easily offer more suggestions and changes they would like to see. After all, we are here to serve the people and there is no better way to ensure the Senate and Class Government work for all than to make sure everyone’s input is heard and considered.
Additionally, next year there are sure to be implications because of the COVID – 19 outbreak. I believe one of the most important roles for the Senate and Class Council to play is serving as a resource for both students and faculty. Whether it is aiding in the adjustment or offering important information, these unprecedented times call for these organizations to be there for the student body more than ever.
Class Treasurer
Ethan Wilt
Hello, my name is Ethan Wilt, and I am running to represent the class of 2023 as Treasurer on the class board next year. I am a political science and public policy double major from Moorestown, New Jersey, just outside Philly. Outside the classroom, throughout my first year on campus, I was involved in many different activities, including Eisenhower Institute programs, GLC leadership Certificate, CPS College Prep volunteering, and among other things. I also was lucky enough to be chosen as a Resident Assistant for next year. What I found was that this campus community has a lot to offer for its students and I want to return the favor and offer up my own skills and knowledge to help and support the class of 2023.
As treasurer, I plan on working with my fellow class officers and coordinating more class events and activities to get more of the class involved. During orientation, I was amazed by the amount of friendship and commanderie I saw within our class but as the semester went on, it diminished as there weren’t as many opportunities to engage as a whole. In particular, I want to address Twilight Hour. Due to both internal and external factors, we were unable to experience a Gettysburg College tradition that I felt was important for our class. If elected, I will work and do everything in my power, as treasurer, to make sure we have Twilight Hour sometime during the upcoming fall semester. I think one way of getting the class more involved is actually using the class Instagram as a medium to get out more information to better inform the class on what activities are happening on campus.
Overall, my main goal is to increase our class’s presence on campus and continue doing great things next year. Vote for me, Ethan Wilt, for Class Treasurer! Go Bullets!
