Before he drove to Bellarmine Hall for the 63rd FUSA inauguration at on Sunday night, former FUSA President Hutch Williams ’08 had to make an important last-minute pit stop at his office.
“I need this gavel,” he said, jogging to his car. “During the ceremony it is tradition to pass this to the next president.”
It was in the mansion where the University president leads the community that the FUSA members who will lead the student body were inducted. The ceremony began with a speech from then incumbent president Hutch Williams, which was followed by an opening prayer from University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx.
During his induction speech, newly appointed FUSA President Jeff Seiser promised that he would work to “make the student voice heard, improve communication between FUSA and the administration and increase school spirit.”
“I am fully dedicated to this position,” he added. “I understand that I will have a lot of responsibilities and I intend to do everything in my power to help the student body.”
“There is a great deal of pressure on his [Seiser’s] shoulders right now,” said a smiling Williams after the ceremony. “I enjoyed everything I’ve done in the past as a President. It’s bittersweet to leave, but I am really excited to see where the current members will take FUSA.
Prior to the induction, Aly Ghoirizi ’09, chief justice of the student court introduced members and had them individually repeat an oath for their position. Ghoirizi will lead FUSA’s judicial branch for the second year in a row.
Meghan Doyle ’09 was inducted as executive director, Jordan Hummel’ 10 was inducted as secretary of communication, Alan Guffanti ’09 was inducted as chair of SOBOG. Allison Daly ’09 was inducted as secretary of academics, Dan Lamendola ’09 was inducted as senate chair and Emily Dragone’ 09 was inducted as vice president.
After Seiser was inducted, Williams ceremoniously passed him the gavel and von Arx came on stage to drape a “chain of chiefs” around the new FUSA president.
Cameras flashed and applause rang loud from the audience after Seiser finished his speech. Campus administrators including Tom Pellegrino, dean of students, and Deb Cady, director of Residence Life, were in attendance, as well as some proud parents of the inductees. Pellegrino went through a similiar induction ceremony when he became FUSA president in 1989.
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