CCSG chooses new executives for 1997-98

Hail to the chief -- Chief Greg Bednarski, that is.

The results came after three rounds of voting because the council had not given one candidate a two-thirds majority. If a two-thirds majority has not been reached by the second round, then the candidate with 50 percent plus one percent wins.

"There is nothing this council cannot achieve," Bednarski said in his speech before the voting. "With the past and the present we can create the future."

Winning the office of vice president realizes his calling of being a leader, Miller said.

"I had found my true calling, being a strong voice and leader for those around me -- taking brunts and blows to carry on to reach a common goal," he said. "Our students can no longer be lost in the shuffle."

The ticket was chosen over Will Rogers, campus chair, and Jim Jaworski, SGA vice president of the Abington-Ogontz Campus.

Bednarski and Miller assured the council that the diversity of their ticket will make their leadership stronger. The pair explained that because Bednarski has been at University Park for a year and Miller has been at a Commonwealth Campus, the two can use experience from both sides of the coin.

"I think the thing that sets us aside is our diversity," Miller said. "I know this council. I've been here for two years. I know the concerns. I am a Commonwealth Education student."

Although Miller provides the Commonwealth Educational System voice, Bednarski said he knows how to make that voice heard at University Park.

"I bring a world of experience having worked on central staff," he said. "I've been able to make the contacts and the resources, and I've found out exactly how the administration works up here."

The council also elected a campus chair and representatives to the University Faculty Senate and the Student Activity Fee Board.

Charles Stevens, the Schuylkill Campus' SGA vice president, was named CCSG campus chair. Rafael Alicea, SGA vice president-elect from the Schuylkill Campus, Christopher Anderson, SGA senator from the DuBois Campus and John Baer, SGA president-elect from the York Campus, were all elected as faculty senate representatives. And Sandy Dorsey, current faculty senate representative from the DuBois Campus, was elected Student Activity Fee Board representative.

The council members topped off their weekend with an end-of-the year banquet complete with certificates, awards, a 1997 Interfraternity/Panhellenic Dance Marathon slide show and the passing of the gavel from Tim Daniels, CCSG president, to Greg Bednarski, president-elect.

"I really have to say this has been the greatest experience of my life," Daniels said. "As (vice president Richel Perretti and I) go out of office, and Greg and Tony come in, I know I'm going to miss this place, miss the organization and miss all of you."