The Student Government transitioned into a new administration yesterday with a ceremony rich with praise for the outgoing executives and full of promises from the new student representatives.
Incoming President Ashley Mushnick, a junior in the School of Public Affairs, acknowledged the "big shoes" she has to fill and commended the outgoing administration for professionalizing the SG.
"Tomorrow the work begins ... and I look forward to bettering this university and serving the students at large," Mushnick said.
Outgoing President Kyle Taylor thanked his staff for helping to create the "most accomplished student government in recent history, maybe ever."
Administrators in attendance spoke highly of the accomplishments of the Taylor administration, ranging from hurricane relief fundraising to a Park Bethesda shuttle service. At the heart of the Taylor administration, however, was the "Be" Campaign, which Taylor called the "largest and most effective unity movement in AU's history."
"We revolutionized campus unity this year. We brought people together by encouraging them to stand out," Taylor said, adding that the "Be" Campaign resulted in the production of 10,500 buttons and 11,635 T-shirts, tying together a total of 131 organizations on campus.
Taylor's administration has also been credited with actively pursuing the fight for a student representative on the board of trustees. Mushnick acknowledged that the governance challenges that resulted from the scandal involving AU's former President Benjamin Ladner have transformed the role of the SG president, adding a more far-reaching dimension to the position, which Taylor discovered sometimes even involved testifying before Congressional committees.
Incoming Vice President Pat McGill also mentioned Ladner in his inaugural speech, thanking the former university head for making him angry enough to become involved. McGill, who takes over the programming role for outgoing Vice President Leah Kreimer, said he plans to provide more hassle-free services and wants to get more students involved.
"We may be in Washington, D.C., but we shouldn't be like Washington, D.C.," McGill said. "Let's stop being student politicians and start being student leaders."
McGill, a sophomore in SPA, resigned his position in the Undergraduate Senate earlier in the day. Kristian Hoysradt, a Class of 2009 senator, also resigned his seat prior to the transition ceremony in order to become Mushnick's chief of staff.
Rob Donigian, a junior in the Kogod School of Business, was also sworn into office as comptroller to replace Zach Ulrich, and Carrie Johnson, a freshman in SPA, was sworn in as the new secretary, replacing Joe Vidulich, who ran against Mushnick for president.
Vidulich advised the new executives to be willing to compromise but still hold their ground.
"Your tenets and convictions are what define you," he said. "Stand by them."
During the ceremony, the "Be" Campaign was given the distinction of "Program of the Year," and interim President Neil Kerwin was recognized with the "Always an Eagle" award. Taylor credited Kerwin for stepping up when the university needed him most and providing a sense of security in an uneasy time.
Among many other awards handed out, outgoing Women's Initiative director Jen Smyers received three awards: Fundraising, the Key of Distinction and Woman of the Year.