Did you miss yesterday’s speeches by the candidates for Campus Union elections? No worries! Check out this condensed version of each speech before casting your vote today at 4 p.m.
A debate between the presidential candidates is being held today at 11 a.m. in the Commons of the Campus Life building. Pizza will be first come first serve.
Drake McCormick ‘18, president: McCormick has served two terms as the Campus Union treasurer. He stressed that the presidential position is about promoting student ideas, not his own, and he will work to help those student ideas come to life. He also wants to see the social community at Wofford thrive on weekdays and weekends even if there isn’t a major event happening. He notes that this year Wofford has spent more money on student activities than ever before, and he wants to continue the pattern. He believes there has been a negative air on campus for too long and student government can help change this tone on campus. He wants to be a part of creating a more positive tone.
Chie Mushayamunda ‘18, president: Mushayamunda currently serves as Campus Union vice president. She says she never thought she would run for president, but her love of Wofford is what compels her. Through her time on Campus Union, she has seen what it takes to run a successful school–which is a lot. She wants to open up a dialogue between the Board of Trustees and students. Likewise, she thinks it’s important to strengthen communication and connections between groups across campus. She encourages students to speak up about the things they are unhappy about, so that she, if elected, and the rest of Campus Union can work to find solutions to the problems.
Will Zeigler ‘18, president: Zeigler currently does not serve on Campus Union. His slogan is “Make Wofford Fun Again,” which he promises he will do in addition to tackling other serious matters. He identifies problems that have been building up over the years and bringing the college down: disconnect between students and trustees, a weak community like never before and the decline in admissions standards. He says he has already met with President Samhat about putting a student representative on the Board of Trustees and he plans to immediately investigate admissions standards if elected. All this will be done in order to improve the Wofford experience for students and also to improve the value of the degree.
Fredy Madrid ‘20, vice president: Madrid currently serves as a freshman delegate on Campus Union. He wasn’t initially going to run because he’s not a politician, but he feels his purpose is to help people and he knows he will be able to do this through a position as vice president. During his time on Campus Union he has achieved several things: he has created two committees, three embellishment programs and raised money for Wofford on Call. He is most proud of his help in creating the committee that works with Campus Safety to alleviate the negative attitude students have about the department. If elected, his first tasks will be getting an ice machine in the Dupre dorm, improving the game room in the Campus Life building and improving the sound system in the eating areas, like the newly added microphone in the Phase Five Galleria.
Will Randall ‘19, vice president: Randall currently serves as a sophomore delegate and the chaplain on Campus Union and has been involved in student government since high school. He says he feels called to be a leader but that leadership is more than a title to him–he knows leadership is an active role. He stresses the importance of student engagement, effective communication and collaboration. He specifically refers to the work Campus Union does as “collaborative work” with the student body.
Billy Holland ‘18, treasurer: Holland admits that he has no experience with Campus Union, but he has met with Drake McCormick, current treasurer, to talk about the position and what it entails. As a finance major, he says he’s good with numbers. He says this is the first year the Campus Union budget increased, and he would like to see this pattern continue.
Curneisha Williams ‘20, treasurer: Williams currently serves as a freshmen delegate on Campus Union. She says she wants to focus on keeping Wofford’s atmosphere “lit.” However, it’s not all fun and games to her and she is willing to put in the outside work to advocate for the student body. She says she will do what it takes to make sure students are satisfied.
Trey Williams ’19, treasurer: Williams currently serves as a sophomore delegate on Campus Union. He is running for treasurer because he wants to give back to the Wofford community the way it has given to him and other students. He is currently a member of the financial affairs committee, which he believes qualifies him for role as treasurer.
Bali Chana ’20, secretary: Chana currently serves as a freshmen delegate on Campus Union. She believes she embodies the characteristics necessary for the position of secretary: responsibility, diligence and communication.
Ann Taylor ‘18, secretary: Taylor currently serves as an at large delegate on Campus Union. She is running because she in passionate about being involved. She believes her love of Wofford and its family ties and her love of making connections and building relationships will serve the role of secretary well.
