Wednesday afternoon marked a new era in Student Government, as SG members and supporters filed into the Rutledge Chapel for the inauguration of the new president, vice president, treasurer and senators.
They listened to speeches from President Pastides, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and the newly elected officers: Jonathan Kaufman, Lee Goble and Ian Shannon.
“It’s a very short ceremony, but it’s a very powerful ceremony,” former Student Body President Lindsay Richardson said.
Students filed out of the church an hour after the inauguration started to attend a reception in the President’s House, where students and faculty gathered to discuss the future and reminisce on the past year. Former Student Body Vice President Donnie Iorio reflected on his lengthy involvement in SG.
“For me, that was the third time I’ve been on the stage in [Rutledge Chapel]. I was in the role of chief justice when I swore in Chase, Ryan and Haley,” Iorio said. “Last year, being sworn in, and then this year getting to say goodbye — it’s really weird thinking of this past year because it’s gone very quickly.”
While the goodbye was bittersweet, the new officers were eager to start working for SG.
Lee Goble, the new student body vice president, was excited to live up to the legacy of the past Student Senate, which passed the most legislation in USC’s history.
“They have set the bar extremely high for us, and I thank them for that,” Goble said. “It’s a big challenge and I think we’re ready to accept it in the 107th Senate.”
Ian Shannon, who ran as the sole candidate for student body treasurer, looked back on his campaign. While he ran unopposed, he said that he's extremely passionate about SG.
“I’m planning on working every day, proving myself every day. That’s why I’m here. I literally pour my heart into what I work at,” Shannon said.
As the newly inducted student body president, Jonathan Kaufman spoke of his pride in being elected. He went on to explain that both SG and the student body represent the university, and he is proud of what they’ve accomplished thus far.
“I’ve been in Student Government for a while, and I’ve seen different leadership styles, and now it’s time to take the lead,” Kaufman said. “It’s really exciting to just keep moving forward ... continuing to reach out to students and continuing to make this a better Carolina.”