At a school with a majority white student population, Fairfield will have its first black Fairfield University Student Association President with the election of Anif McDonald ‘16.
“It feels amazing. I’m more than excited for the upcoming school year,” McDonald said. “I’m going to do all that I can in order to make sure all students feel comfortable at all times.”
While McDonald would have won the uncontested election regardless of the number of votes, he received 1070 student votes on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
“I can’t thank you all for the support and trust you have put in me,” he added.
McDonald will team up with Olivia Tourgee ‘16 as his vice president, who won the position with 806 votes.
What was supposed to be an entirely uncontested election for president and vice president saw Class of 2018 President Závon Billups ‘18 launch a write-in campaign over the weekend, garnering 291 votes.
In his election ad, Billups explained his double-campaign: running for both Class of 2018 president and FUSA vice president.
“My main objective if I were to receive the highest office is to work on changing the culture of our campus and in order to do that I would help redefine what it means to be a member of the Fairfield community,” Billups said in his ad.
The Class of 2016 also had initially one person on the ballot running for Senate, which increased to 12 after write-in candidates.
Regarding McDonald’s win, FUSA President Alex Cucchi ‘15 said, “I am fortunate enough to be passing the torch to a good friend and a great leader.”
Complimenting McDonald’s work over the past three years, Cucchi added, “I am excited and proud of all that [McDonald] has done, and I know that FUSA will be in good hands going forward.”
Full-time students were able to vote through OrgSync, or near the Information Desk at the Barone Campus Center. Election results were announced at the Levee that night.
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