WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 18, 2016 —Clinton, Sanders and Trump aren’t the only presidential names in the news this spring. Before West Liberty University students left for summer break, they elected a new Student Government Association (SGA) president and vice president.
President David “Reid” Boden and Vice President David Cullinan took over leadership for the SGA and are looking forward to the future.
Executive Director of Housing and Student Life Marcella Snyder swore in both officers at the Spring Honors Convocation, held on April 28 in Kelly Theatre. Snyder acts as permanent advisor to SGA.
This week SGA leaders attended the annual West Virginia Student Leadership Conference held in Jackson’s Mill, W.Va. Snyder serves on its conference planning committee. The conference is sponsored by the West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS), the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Shepherd University.
During the conference, students attend breakout sessions focused on helping them inspire and engage their classmates and mobilize groups in support of community goals. Students also identify the unique needs facing their campuses and share ideas for addressing these issues.
“Higher education is not a product that our faculty and administrators hand down to students,” Dr. Paul Hill, chancellor of the Commission, said. “It’s about creating a learning environment where students are collaborators in the experience. I commend the students who are participating in this year’s Leadership Conference for their commitment to that ideal.”
Boden, a rising sophomore, is a secondary history education major from Keyser, West Virginia.
“I love West Liberty. It’s a nice safe campus, and because it’s not a huge college it allows me to have personal interactions with faculty. The campus reminds me of home, but it’s far enough away that I feel that I’m experiencing a new place,” Boden said.
Boden plans on becoming a high school American history teacher after college. A very active student, he is a Resident Assistant, member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and a member of the College Republicans student group.
His vice president agrees with his assessment of campus but adds he hopes to improve student activities and involvement.
“My goal is to reconnect with the students and to stand up for them to the school administration. I also would like to reconnect the students with each other and not have them go home on the weekends,” said Cullinan, who is entering his senior year on the Hilltop.
Cullinan is from Weirton, W.Va. and is majoring in Sports Management. Also a member of Chi Nu fraternity, member of the leadership board of the St. Thomas Aquinas Center, he also works in the admissions office as a College Ambassador.
Also attending the Student Leadership Conference are other members of the SGA executive board including, Treasurer Lynnsie Parsons and Director of Programming Adam Croasmun, both of Paden City, W.Va. and Secretary Chelsea Williams, Follansbee, W.Va.
SGA is a student led representative body made up of members that are elected by all WLU students. Through their work with administrators, they act as bridges of communication between students and administration and develop creative programming for students.
The association governs itself on three overarching principles: service, leadership and integrity. Its office is located on the second floor of the College Union building.
For more information, please visit the SGA webpage. During the school year you may reach the SGA office by phone at 304-336-8027 or email sga@westliberty.edu.