Riverbat party sweeps election

Students won executive board positions for the Center for Student Political Studies (CSPS) at the River Bats Election Convention on Oct. 13.

The CSPS, which works very closely with the Center for Public Policy and Political Studies (CPPPS), is responsible for putting together a few events each semester including the Constitution Debate Day Celebration last month.

"We're not Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians; we're all Riverbats tonight," said director of CPPPS Peck Young. "So, as Riverbats we're electing the new people of this organization."

About 15 students gathered to nominate and vote on candidates. The elected student officers will take office starting in the spring semester. Until then, they will collaborate with the current officers.

No one ran for the executive governor office, so it will remain vacant until one is nominated at a future meeting.

While government major Sam Davis was elected president at the event, she had originally intended to run for the director of communications position. That was until the man she supported for president bowed out of the race. Davis explained what effect this had on her.

As president, Davis will be the face of the organization. She will be asked to speak at most occasions, host most events, set agendas, and seek out new opportunities for the group to participate in.

"Knowing that the position was left vulnerable, I felt like it was important to step up and take responsibility," said Davis. "No one else could be as excited or passionate about it, so that's why I stepped up."

Business administration major Warrick Nichols came to get involved and meet people. The event helped him learn how the district is connected.

"I didn't know before that all the campuses worked together," said Nichols.

Terral Smith, former Legislative Director to Governor George W. Bush, is a member of the CPPPS board and spoke at the event.

"I assume that what motivated the students that came tonight is some curiosity of how politics work," said Smith. "The better they understand that, the better citizens they will be, and that will benefit the college and everyone else."