Tayvian Gass ‘23 defeated Sarah Owens ‘23 in a run-off election for the job of serving as the 2022-23 Student Body Campus Union vice president. Matthew Shouse ‘23 was elected treasurer and Simrin Channa ‘25 was elected secretary.
The vice president race came down to a runoff after Gass, Owens and Cecil Elikem Asimenu ‘24 split the vote in the first round of voting. Asimenu has since announced he will run for the position of at-large delegate; Owens will run for senior delegate.
“I just want to thank everyone who voted for me,” Gass said. “To my two opponents, they were very, very, very good candidates. I hope to see them on the Union this year, and I can’t wait to see them in action.”
Delegate petitions were due Apr. 15.
“I’m excited to work with this executive officers’ board,” Gass said. “I believe with our president and our secretary and our treasurer and (me), I believe we are all going to bring forth ideas that are going to help the school and bring forth a new horizon for the school.”
Gass added that the four different members of the executive cabinet will all contribute their different strengths and goals to the agenda for the 2022-23 academic year.
An aspiring attorney and U.S. senator, aside from Campus Union, Gass is involved on campus on the football team, Wofford Men of Color, the Black Student Alliance, the Advisory committee, Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition, Residence Life and the Pre-Law society.
“It’s my senior year, and I feel as though after all the work I’ve done on campus, just trying to be the best student, the best activist of the students, the best student leader I could possibly be – I feel as though the culmination of all that would to be on the executive committee of the Campus Union,” Gass said prior to the election.
Gass noted a bill he proposed that touched on the issue of race as one of his proudest moments on Campus Union and emphasized a desire to enhance inclusivity for all races if elected. He also wants to seek a better sense of connection between students of different walks.
In terms of infrastructure, Gass wants to add on to the Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village and make more career-oriented buildings. After what he saw in his time as a Resident Assistant, he wants to completely remodel Marsh to give Wofford first-year students a better experience.
Shouse was named the new student body treasurer on Apr. 15, after beating Devin Stewart ‘25. Shouse brings several years of Campus Union experience and currently serves on the Financial Affairs committee, which serves under the treasurer. The committee is in charge of allocating funds to organizations, and has helped Shouse garner first-hand knowledge of the process.
Along with the rest of the Financial Affairs committee, Shouse proposed to the Assembly a manual detailing financial guidelines for student-chartered organizations, hereunto nonexistent. Currently in a reading week, the manual would be a proposed change to the Campus Union bylaws.
“I do want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who supported me during the election week, especially all those that voted for me,” Shouse said. “The encouragement I received during the process is something I will never forget. I am thrilled to take on the job of Treasurer.”
Additionally, Shouse mentioned that his candidacy is something he has been wanting to do for a long time and is excited to see where the position takes him. Shouse promised a genuine commitment to work diligently to continue the past treasurer’s hard work.
The secretary race was between a pair of current first-year students in Channa and Alexis Walker ‘25, with Channa winning the election.
Channa served the Wofford community this past year on Campus Union as an at-large delegate. She hopes to bring something new to the Campus Union Assembly and to the position of secretary that will trickle down and benefit all who come into contact with Wofford.
“I am so honored and excited to serve this student body again,” Channa said. “I love Wofford so much already, and I cannot wait to be a small part of making it feel more like home for everyone. Although the election is over, I still want to hear all of your questions, comments, concerns and ideas. Please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you all and go Terriers!”
