After thanking his new staff, consisting of Vice President Jason Trombley, Comptroller Moamar Tidjani-Dourodjaye and Secretary Jamie Rea, newly inaugurated Student Confederation President Polson Kanneth claimed that this year was good but next year should be even better.
"Now that I have acknowledged those who have enabled me to stand here this evening, I believe it must be acknowledged that this organization, the Student Confederation, has some amazing opportunities that lie before it," Kanneth said.
Kanneth gave his inaugural address at the SC transition dinner, where new officers of AU's student government were sworn in yesterday evening in the University Club.
"I would also like to thank the Residence Hall Association where I first became involved here on campus and it wouldn't have been possible without the residents of Leonard Hall," Kanneth said while choking back tears. "I am always grateful for all the support and energy they put into this campaign. Thank you."
After speaking about physical changes to the University such as plans to renovate the School of Communication, Kanneth mentioned that change isn't always physical.
"The very essence of this University is changing along with its appearance," Kanneth said. "The University is proposing a University College plan that many of you may have heard of.
"A new shape, and a new way in which the heart, the soul and the pulse of the University exists will be determined by this plan. It is up to us to pave the path for our university's future. It is up to us to ensure that these changes, among others will be conducted in the interests of the students."
Kanneth concluded his speech with a slogan from his campaign.
"This is a great honor and a great responsibility... It's time for me to start taking care of business," Kanneth concluded.
Before Kanneth was officially sworn in, Nick Terzulli, the outgoing SC president, gave his farewell address. Quoting Theodore Roosevelt, Terzulli said, "There is no effort without error."
Terzulli said Roosevelt articulated the true essence of leadership.
After thanking the entire SC and General Assembly, the student-body legislature, for a great year, Terzulli said, "We got the job done, and we energized the entire campus."
According to Terzulli, more people voted in SC elections than ever before. "More people voted in this past spring's elections than the number of students that voted for Haley Stevens [who was elected SC president last year before resigning] and myself combined," he said.
Terzulli said that since his appointment one year and three days ago, his life has never been the same.
"I may not have faith in faith, but I hope faith has faith in me ... I tried, as always to create a better AU," Terzulli concluded, echoing his familiar presidential slogan.
While Terzulli's mission was for a better AU, outgoing Vice President Kyle Taylor sought a more spirited campus.
"While I only held office for a few months, I sought to solve the communication gap between the SC and GA," Taylor said. "Remember, not everyone at AU wants to be a politician ... There are many student leaders outside of the SC."
Taylor also encouraged the GA to attend campus programs, as they are representatives of the student body. He mentioned the Artemas Ward Festival, which is a weeklong spring festival on campus beginning on Wednesday, April 21.
Jason Trombley, newly inaugurated vice president, seeks to continue Taylor's tradition of excellent programming.
"I'd like to go back to the old-fashioned kind of programming," Trombley said. "1984 was a wild year... There was a hot-air balloon on the Quad."
Trombley does not plan to go the hot-air balloon route, but he is currently in the works of creating a classic college movie week and tailgating during soccer games.
Trombley encouraged students to take a break from studying every once in a while and go out and enjoy campus programming.
"Every now and then we just need to take a break and enjoy what AU has to offer," Trombley said.
Moamar Tidjani-Dourodjaye and Jamie Rea, the incoming comptroller and secretary, respectively, are seeking to make a difference this upcoming school year.
"Congratulations to everyone here," Tidjani said. "Each and every one of us are going to go a long way next year."
Tidjani said that the SC should uphold three main values: accountability, integrity and reliability. "They should use those values in the workplace next year," he said.
Rea, after some thought, chose to run for secretary and is excited to see what next year will bring.
"I hope to work together with the rest of the SC to redesign the Web site," Rea said in her inaugural address.
Karen Fischer, the outgoing secretary, congratulated Rea on her new position and said she is eager to see what she will accomplish next year.
Scott Rosen, the outgoing comptroller, mentioned in his farewell address that he and other SC members worked hard over the summer to adjust the budget so unnecessary programming would be eliminated.
"As I promised you, not one cent of your money will fund any ridiculous inflatable toys on the Quad," he said. "To conclude my speech, I always tried as hard as I possibly could."
Before the farewell and inaugural speeches, awards such as the Service, Tradition, and Unity Awards, were rewarded to Mark Seaman of the Eagle Endowment, Jonathon Mathis of Founder's Day Ball and the Student Union Board for its programming this past year.
"Overall, I was very happy with the transition," Kanneth said. "I am so excited to begin my job ... I am overwhelmed with happiness"
