The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, April 01, 1998, Image 13

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Voter’s Guide
Wednesday • April 1, 1998
athletics, our service and our spirit.
When the 12th Man walks into Kyle Field and looks
down at the yell leaders, they should be able to say, “that
guy was in the Commons. That guy ate in Sbisa. That guy
played at the Rec. That guy was in my class. That guy
smiled and said “Howdy” to me. That guy shook my
hand. That guy knows my name. That guy is asking for
your support. I would like the honor of being your yell
leader at Texas A&M. Vote Wesley Butler for junior yell
leader.
Michael
Chu
Junior Yell L(
E ven though the world changes, tradition here at
Aggieland lives on. Among those traditions is
that of yell leaders leading the student body on in
cheers to pump our beloved teams.
I feel that I would make a great junior yell leader
because of certain qualities and attitudes I maintain. Very
easy going and quick to jump head-in, I believe that the
student body will see that a yell leader is very approach
able and just like you and me. Someone who wants to
lead but is willing to learn and take advice so that they
may improve and better serve others.
Most important what I can offer the University and fel
low Ags is the promise of integrity and upholding the
ideas upon which A&M was founded. A good balance of
fun and work along with unmatched enthusiasm and an
invitation for suggestions on how to better represent you
is what I promise you.
Aggie word and that’s no bull. After all, a yell leader is
elected to represent you and the University.
Candidate
David
Grotheim
Junior Yell Leader Candidate
H owdy! My name is David Grotheim, and I am
running for the position of junior yell leader.
Several years ago I attended my first ever Fightin’ Texas
Aggie football game and saw first-hand how awesome the
spirit of Aggieland actually is. The unity of the students,
and the school pride that I saw made a lasting impression
upon me, and implanted within me the desire to be a part
of this incredible university.
Now as a student I have gained a new understanding of
what it means to be an Aggie. More than just another
member of the student body, an Aggie is a person with
strong character. He or she takes pride in tradition, and
holds himself to a high code of honor, but most impor
tant, an Aggie is a man or woman of integrity.
As a Christian I strive not only to be a man of integrity,
but to follow God in all aspects of my life. As a yell leader
I will not only represent our school as a member of the
student body, but truly show the meaning behind the title
“Fightin’ Texas Aggie” by being a man of integrity.
Troy
Hinojosa
Junior Yell Leader
H owdy Ags! My name is Troy Hinojosa and I want
to be your next junior yell leader.
I want to tell you something that I hope will help you
distinguish me from the rest of the candidates. It’s true
that I am a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie
Class of 2000, but I’m also a proud member of a smaller
group here on campus. I, like many other students on
campus, have spent a number of years defending this
great country of ours. Yes, that’s right Ags, I’m veteran.
I’ve spent time in the Gulf and I’ve spent time in Somalia
and I’ve been all around the world.
I care about this University so much that I, at age 25,
want to be your next junior yell leader. I think that being a
Yell Leader is more than just leading the 12th Man in yells,
it’s about being an ambassador of the 12th Man to the rest
of the world. I know what it’s like to represent something
larger than yourself to the rest of the world. For four years I
wore my uniform with pride and represented the Navy and
the United States all around the world.
Remember me when you go to vote, I’m Troy Hinojosa
and I want to be your next junior yell leader.
Thanks and gig’em.
Hank
Hollywood
Junior Yell Leader Candidate
H owdy Ags! My name is Hank Hollywood ,and I am a
sophomore ag-science major from Celina, TX. I am
bidding for one of the two openings for junior yell
leader. Five gentlemen will be chosen to represent not only
the student body of Texas A&M, but also former and incom
ing Aggies.
These five gentlemen have the privilege not only to lead
yells on Kyle Field and in other sports facilities, but to be men
who instill enthusiasm, synergy, integrity and character into
the hearts and lives of each and every member of the Aggie
family. It is important that we select gentlemen who will put
their personal agenda aside and ask, “What can I do to
enhance Texas A&M University?”
No matter what the outcome, I will be honored to know
that I was even considered to represent such an awesome and
diverse student body at Texas A&M. So I ask that on April 1
and 2, that you please give careful consideration to have Hank
Hollywood represent you as one of your junior yell leaders.
Thank you and gig’em!
Mike
Lemonds
5 j
Junior Yell Leader Candidate
H owdy! Let me start with this — I am having so
much fun with this campaign! Running for junior
yell is a terrific experience. I hope everyone has
stopped by our lemonade stand — we’re trying to put a little
fun into your week, too. But all fun aside—I realize that I am
asking a lot of the A&M student body.
I am asking you to make me one of the most visible repre
sentatives of this campus. I am asking you to support who I
am and what I stand for. What do I stand for? The answer to
that is easy — I stand for you.
A yell leader isn’t just someone in a white outfit who
whoops and hollers with the crowd. A yell leader is someone
who stands for the spirit, the tradition and the students of
A&M.
I want to make a difference this year — A&M needs a yell
leader who represents the majority of its students. I need you
to help me make that difference I need your vote. Stop by the
stand and have a cup of lemonade, share in my enthusiasm
and see how I can represent you.
Thanks, and gig 'em—Vote Mike Lemonds for junior yell.
Durward
Dunn
Class of '00 President Candidate
H owdy, I’m Durward Dunn, and I’m running for
Class of 2000 president.
If you are reading this, it means that you care enough
about our class to want to participate and get involved.
Think about this question: “Have you ever had trouble
working with a class council event; or have you ever found
out about a class activity at the last minute, too late to par
ticipate?” If you answered yes to either of these, then it
shows that there is a problem. Class council belongs to
YOU, the Class of 2000; you should not have to fight or
struggle to get involved. With E-Walk and other activities
going on next year, having full participation from everyone
who wants to help will cause these activities to mean more
to our class. IT’S YOUR CLASS — EXPECT MORE!!
Also, being an Aggie involves participating in the big
picture.
We can do this by setting up a mentorship program where
the junior class helps the fish start out right, instead of them
struggling for a semester and not reaching their full potential
as a class.
Together we can SET THE NEW STANDARD for the way
class council can be done! God bless & gig’em.
Kyle
Valentine
Class of '00 President Candidate
H owdy fellow Ags. How do you feel about promoting
communication, involvement and making a differ
ence on the A&M campus? My name is Kyle
Valentine and my campaign goals are based upon these three
fundamental concepts. I am running for the position of Class
of 2000 president.
With successful planning, publicizing and execution of
events and activities, we will be able to make a difference in
the lives of the students on this campus and leave a mark of
the Class of 2000 for Aggies both young and old to see.
Turning these goals into reality requires experience, lead
ership and innovation. As current Class of 2000 Vice
President, I have seen the inner workings of student govern
ment at Texas A&M first hand.
Government is based upon the ideas of the people. I
assure you that the ideas I promote will be based upon the
II
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Voter’s Guide
Nathan
Bigbee
Student Body President Candidate
H owdy, I’m Nathan Bigbee, and as a candidate for your
SBRI hope that you will consider the potential impact
of your decision. My personal visionis long-term.
While A&M is currently deciding what it will be doing the next few
decades, I find it critical that someone of experience and initiative
lead the student body. My years serving on the Senate have
brought me to understand the true nature of campus administra
tion, and my desire to bring Texas A&M to world - class status
underlies my devotion to service.
At a time when Texas A&M University is showing interest in
being a top 10 university, what can you do as Student Body
President to further this goal?
The goals ofVision 20/20 should be our paramount concern.
Thereputation of our school is the greatest factor affecting how far
we can collectively go when we graduate.
First, any credible advanced institution has got to have top -
notch research — even for undergraduates. I’d like A&M to host
an undergraduateresearch contest, funded by the colleges, and
publicized nationwide.
We also have to increase priority for funding greater acqui
sitions to our libraries. Second, to save university resources, we
need to increase academic efficiency (average years required to
graduate) by subsidizing students’ tuition for any credit hours
over 14.
As Student Body President, what steps can you take to
improve diversity on campus?
Coming from a hometown where my ethnicity is in the minor
ity, and a Corps unit where eight different countries are represent
ed, I understand the impact of cultural differences. We need to
ensure that, as an academic institution, our primary concern is
how we are preparing students to relate to a world not only of dif
ferent skin colors, but of different languages, religions, ethics, gov
ernments and economics.
We must first prioritize funding for our student exchange and
study abroad - programs, and take initiative on international con
tacts.
Second, we should drastically expand and facilitate instruction
in our foreign language departments, and create more business
classes related to international operations. I would be willing to
advocate tuition reduction/elimination for students in language
classes, especially in industrial and business-related majors.
As Student Body President, how do you envision holding on
to A&M’s rich traditions while allowing the University to make
progress?
These two ideas are far from being mutually exclusive. There
are many outstanding examples of traditional yet progressive
institutions of higher learning (Washington, Harvard, Chicago, for
starters). The key to remember is that the two spheres — cultural
and academic - are separate; both can be simultaneously dynam
ic. Too much of either is no good. At A&M, both are essential to
ourselves and our self-image. And as long as our SAT requirements
are higher than those for spirit, we’ll be doing just fine.
Texas A&M, and that is why this year I created the position of
Chaplain in our Student Senate. Now, I am running for Student
Body President for those same reasons. Inside my bifolds and on
my Web page (http://nac.tamu.edu/joe) you will find twelve
promises I am making to you, the 12th Man. These are not ideas
and this is not a platform - these are promises I am making to each
one of you. These promises will be posted in the window of the
Student Government Office. As each one is accomplished they
will be checked off for you to know that I am keeping my promis
es. I know my vision can become a reality, but I need your help to
do it. Gig 'em, God bless, and go vote.
At a time when Texas A&M University is showing interest in
being a top 10 university, what can you do as Student Body
President to further this goal?
My heart knows Texas A&M is the greatest university m the
world, but in order to be a world-class university the administra
tion must realize the reason A&M is so great is because of the stu
dents the 12th Man The administration speaks of bemg a world-
class university-1 speak of treating the 12th Man as world-class
students Faculty and staff have been serving themselves for so
long that they forgot their purpose, to serve you. I want to bring
that focus back and when each one of us is treated as world-class
students, this will truly be a world-class university.
As Student Body President, what steps can you take to
improve diversity on campus?
“We are Aggies first, brought together by our common love for
and devotion to our school.” I feel our diversity will unite us,
because we share one bond, a love for Texas A&M. I wiU promote
unity through diversity by creating more need-based scholarships
through a new program caUed Aggie One; by building a Matthew
Gaines statue in honor of the man who helped found Texas A&M;
and by working with U-Act to create a conference which brings
leaders of organizations together to form an action plan to
improve unity on campus. D*’s stop talking about diversity and
unity and actually do something about it.
As Student Body President, how do you envision holding on
to A&M’s rich traditions while allowing the University to make
progress? . , , .
General Rudder faced this very question when we had to
decide whether or not to allow women into Texas A&M. I befieve
he made the right decision because he had the vision to realize
that whatever is popular is not always right, and whatever is right
is not always popular. He also had the strength to stand up for
what he knew was right. As Student Body President, you must do
what you know is best for Texas A&M and the 12th Man. If I had to
make a decision like Rudder's, I would do what I knew would be
best for Texas A&M. I would do it out of love for this school and
love for the students I serve.
Diversity-Bring administration and students of the Fifth
Circuit schools together to discuss the impact of the Hopwood
decision and what works to encourage diversity.
Freshmen Concems-Create new freshman organizations and
workshops to promote involvement and confidence in their new
surroundings.
Aggie Awareness-Further promote Reed Arena and Bush
Library to increase awareness of Texas A&M nationwide.
At a time when Texas A&M University is showing interest in
being a top 10 university, what can you do as Student Body
President to further this goal?
In order to be a top 10 universtiy by the year 2020 we must cap
italize on our strengths while forging ground for the future. We
must further promote the Bush Library to the state and nation,
meanwhile continuing to improve on expanding students’ acade
mic options. As Student Body President, I will work together with
the administration and students to expand on departments that
are necessary for a top 10 school, including a law school.
However, we cannot forget that it is our pride that will always put
us on top!
As Student Body President, what steps can you take to
improve diversity on campus?
A more diverse campus can be achieved by increasing aware
ness of our international and cultural organizations. We do have
diverse groups dedicated to promote their different cultures and
we must support and promote these organizations. More stu
dents involved in minority recruiting and introducing intra-um-
versity forums would also improve diversity.
As Student Body President, how do you envision holding on to
A&M’s rich traditions while allowing the University to make
progress?
To progress successfully, all students and administration must
be involved in the forethought of decisions. Being on the stu-
dent/administration committee involved in the Kyle Field expan
sion, I found that many decisions had already been made and our
options were limited. Progress does not have to be made by tear
ing down monuments that make our school great. As Student
Body President, I will ensure that the student voice is heard in
every decision.
Joe
Forman
Jeff
King
Student Body President Candidate
Student Body President Candidate
H owdy! My name is Joe Forman. I’m an Economics
major from Bryan, Texas, and I want to serve you next
year as Student Body President. Becoming Student
Body President was not a personal goal when I came to Texas
A&M.The goal that I had was to improve this campus and to
impact the lives of many people along the way. That’s why I
helped create “Howdy Ags!”to bring back the Howdy tradition at
H owdy! It is my hope that these focus points provide a
strong combination of important issues that help
improve student life while capitalizing on the strengths
of our proud University.
Advisor Evaluations-Have organizational and departmen
tal advisor evaluations.
Bus System-Improve consistency by posting schedules, and
provide overhangs and lighting at stops.
Communication Forums-Bi-monthly forums to encourage
better cooperation between diverse university groups.
Safety Awareness-Increase accessibility of information.
Sponsor a one-week, all-out push to promote awareness of avail
able assistance.
Increase SBP Visibility-Set up a table for one-hour-a-week,
rotating the site between colleges with the college presidents and
senators available.
Campus Issues Web site-Containing student input on campus
concerns, Aggie calendar, forums, speakers and the SBP schedule.
Broaden Academics-Work with the administration to express
student concerns regarding liberal arts departments (i.e. lan
guages, international studies), and the performing arts (i.e. the
ater, music).
T he standards that Texas A&M University has maintained
for the last 121 years are the reasons that I chose to
become an Aggie. However, Texas A&M is not currently
ranked in the top 10. Recently, a team has worked to identify what
it takes to reach top 10 status. As Student Body President, I will be
an integral part of this team. We will work towards enhancements
of and changes in the environment of Texas A&M University. The
areas of the A&M environment that will be focused on are tradi
tions, diversity and academics.
Traditions are a vital part of what makes A&M unique. It is very
important to me that these traditions not only be continued and
promoted, but also expanded to include even more members of
the current and former student body. I think that the most impor
tant way a Student Body President can ensure that traditions
flourish is by listening to and being supportive of ideas of all
Aggies. As we move into the next century and increase our
national prestige, traditions will be what set us apart from the rest
of the elite universities.
At A&M, the word diversity will cease to exist because it will be
the very essence of the Aggie way of life. My plan for making this
happen consists of two phases. First we must increase recruit
ment efforts by providing scholarships for academically qualified
students coming from a low socioeconomic background.
Secondly, a committee will be established whose purpose is to
recruit a well represented population. During the second phase,
the overall atmosphere of campus will be focused on. While cur
rent programs are being strengthened, funding will be provided
for new initiatives that promote campus unity.
The cornerstone of superior universities is academics. We
must fnms nn farnitv research, undergraduate and graduate stn-