The Whitworthian

Issue date: 10/9/07

Media Credit: Li Bowie Freshman Elizabeth Estes votes in the Hixson Union Building Oct. 2 for the ASWU general election. [Click to enlarge]

The newest members of the Associated Students of Whitworth University said they hope to bring excitement, fresh ideas and changes.

Voters added nine new members to ASWU in general elections Oct. 2. ASWU Executive Vice President Katie Zerkel said 636 people voted in the elections, a typical number for fall elections.

Many of the recently elected ASWU members are new students to Whitworth University, which adds a new dynamic to the organization, Zerkel said.

"Out of the nine new members, we have four freshmen and a transfer student who have never been involved in, seen or heard anything about ASWU," Zerkel said. "This brings a fresh perspective to ASWU that is very valuable to us."

Residents of BaldwinJenkins, Tiki and Akili halls (BJTA) elected freshmen Josh McKee and James Mitsuyasu as their new representatives.

Freshman Zach Parker became the new BJTA senator, filling the only senator vacancy in ASWU. Parker said he was drawn in by the different aspects of the senator position and he wanted to help BJTA in any way possible.

"I fell in love with the dorm," Parker said.

Both Mitsuyasu and McKee were eager to work with Parker and get involved with their constituents.

"I want to help BJTA out whenever I can," McKee said.

Arend residents voted sophomore Michael Korpi as their new representative. Korpi transferred to Whitworth last spring from Davidson College after taking a year off school.

"When I came last spring, Arend provided a very warm welcome for me and I developed several close friendships," Korpi said. "I thought the ASWU would be a great opportunity to return the kind gesture."

Sophomore Shawna McNally is the new representative for Duvall. McNally said this is her second year living in Duvall, so she feels a connection with the dorm.

"I really care about everyone in the dorm. I genuinely want to know everyone and be accessible to them," McNally said.

Residents of Stewart, Shalom and Keola elected junior Sarah Davies as their representative. Davies is a new transfer student from Multnomah Bible College in Portland, Ore.

Davies had experience in student government at Multnomah. Davies said she wanted to continue her involvement in student government at Whitworth.

Warren residents chose sophomore Sarah Moore and freshman Christina DeHaven for representatives. DeHaven said she was involved in student government in high school and thought it would be a fun challenge in college.

Off-campus students elected junior Corey Fereday as their new representative. Fereday said he hopes to bring students' views on issues to light in ASWU.

"I want to see my own opinions, as well as other students' opinions, put into action in the student government," Fereday said.

All of the new members agreed they want to help students be more involved, both in student government and other activities.

"I want everybody to feel like they're connected more. I want to get everybody involved," Mitsuyasu said.

Fereday said he would like to focus on helping the students relate more to ASWU.

"I also want to make ASWU more transparent so that other students feel more engaged in their student government," Fereday said. "ASWU is the student voice, so I want them to be heard."

All of the new members agree it comes down to representing students.

"The basic goal is to represent people in the best way and the fairest way I can," Davies said.

Fereday agreed.

"Students shouldn't be afraid to talk to their representatives," Fereday said. "We really are supposed to be a voice representing them."

Contact Morgan Feddes at morgan.feddes@whitworthian.com.

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