Proven Party candidate D.J. Casto has unofficially won the Student Government Association presidential race at West Virginia University. Elections chair Jeff Gudzune made the announcement Thursday (Feb. 24) night, concluding three days of online voting.
About 6,000 students cast their vote, 2,500 more than last year, Gudzune noted. Of those who voted, 3,709 were in favor of Casto and vice-presidential running mate Shannon Logan, while 1,977 supported Golden Ticket candidates Brett White and Lisa Costello. Seventy-six votes went to write-in candidates.
Casto, a senior accounting major from Clarksburg, currently serves as SGA vice president and is a former SGA Board of Governors member. He is the founder and president of the Italian American Organization and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. His other activities include National Exemplary Scholars in Service, the Newman Club and The Daily Athenaeum.
Logan, a first-year graduate student in journalism from Baden, Pa., has two years of BOG experience. In addition, she served on the SGA Publications Board, helped found Zeta Delta Phi sorority and assists prospective students as a WVU tour guide.
According to their Web site (www.castologan.com), Casto and Logan want to continue to improve Mountainlair venues. They also want to increase taxi service in the Morgantown area to help alleviate traffic and parking issues, and they want to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety on game days.
Students, all Proven Party candidates, elected to the BOG are:
Beth Belch, a sophomore international studies and political science major from Uniontown, Pa. She is a current BOG member and a resident assistant in Brooke Tower. She would like to continue to fight for a child development center on campus as well as raise money for the Student Memorial Scholarship.
Whitney Cain, a sophomore elementary education major from Frederick, Md. Cain is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and has held many leadership roles in philanthropic events. She wants to increase awareness of Greek life and extend the class drop period.
Dan Carrier, a junior chemistry major from Morgantown. He is the president of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Carrier hopes to create a Physics Learning Center with free tutoring and develop graduate school entrance test prep courses.
Emily Chiappazzi, a freshman business and economics major from Erie, Pa. In high school, she was student council vice president her senior year. Among her goals, she would like to enhance the quality of the lounge in the Mountainlair and create a teacher evaluation Web site.
John Estep, a junior political science major from Sistersville. He is currently the SGA chief of staff and a member of WVU s Committee on Students Rights and Responsibilities. He wants to serve as a liaison between students and administration and continue the work of Students for Higher Education.
Jason Gross, a sophomore mechanical and aerospace engineering major from Morgantown. Gross is a current BOG member. His activities include the University Honors Program and Helvetica Honorary. He would like to continue his work toward creating a Web site where students can pay parking citations and renew permits.
Brent Hardman, a junior chemical engineering major from Parkersburg. He currently serves on the BOG and would like to continue working on his Alumni Networking program. He would like to further this program to create alumni mentor programs in various career fields.
Becky Jamison, a junior marketing major from Wilmington, Del. She is the vice president of Alpha Phi sorority. One of her objectives is to implement satellite nursing stations as an efficient way for students to receive health care.
Jon Jaraiedi, a junior finance major from Lawrenceville, N.J. He has held several leadership roles in the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He wants to organize a coffee and relaxation area in the downtown library.
Robin Johnson, a senior double major in advertising and international affairs from Centreville, Va. She has been the news director of U92 , the campus radio station, and president of Braxton Hall Council. She wants to work with WVU s Off-Campus Housing Office to educate students about their rights and options as tenants.
Michael Lamp, a junior public relations major from Martinsburg. He serves as the vice-chair of SGA s public relations team and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as well as a journalism school mentor. He aims to improve professional and postgraduate recruiting through Career Services.
Becky Lovell, a freshman secondary education/math major from Martinsburg. Lovell is active with the SGA , Dadisman Hall Council, Campus Crusade for Christ and Younglife. She hopes to use the results from a recent MIX survey to improve WVU Dining Services.
Ashna Malapur, a sophomore biology major from Charleston. She is a Mountaineer Maniac, a tutor in the Chemistry Learning Center and a member of the Honors Program. One of her goals is to start an online roommate matching service for off-campus housing.
Britni Schoonover, a junior biology major from Procious. She is a current member of the BOG and a volunteer at Ruby Memorial Hospital. This year, she surveyed students to compile a list of the best landlords in Morgantown. She hopes to continue to work with the Off-Campus Housing Office.
Mary Scott, a senior public relations major from Clarksburg. She is a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority, Italian American Organization and Diversity in Media Association. She would like to enhance Greek life and establish a child development center.
Students elected to the Athletic Council are:
Shane DeVincent, a senior multi-disciplinary studies major from Morgantown. He currently serves on the Athletic Council and played on the WVU lacrosse team. He wants to strengthen the relationship between the Athletic Department and the student body.
Thomas Skaff, a junior sports management major from Charleston. He is a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and a Mountaineer Maniac. He hopes to use his knowledge of sports management to enhance the student experience at athletic events.