It’s official. Jon David Cole was sworn in as Student Association president Wednesday along with other members of the SA executive council.
Former president Adam Telle swore Cole in at the Student Association’s annual banquet at the Hunter Henry Center. Telle also swore Cory Carter in as vice president, Seth Robinson in as attorney general and Emily Stone in as secretary. Treasurer Matt Vitart was not at the banquet because of a Washington, D.C. internship.
In his inaugural address, Cole said that he wants the upcoming school year to be a “ministry” for the student association. He wants the SA to reach out in friendship to all State students.
He also said he wants to bring awareness to and preserve Mississippi State traditions.
Cole credited outgoing president Telle for a successful year. “Adam, the applause this room can give you cannot adequately express what you have done for this university,” he said.
Telle also gave his farewell address at the banquet. Telle thanked his family and friends and members of the SA for their help throughout his tenure. “We’ve accomplished more than anything I could have dreamed of,” he said.
Telle, a Northport, Ala. native, said that when he came to the university he was initially unhappy. After a semester, however, something changed. He said he began to realize that the students and staff at State are special.
“I look back and I try to define what it is about Mississippi State that makes it so great,” he said. “The only thing that can make me feel the way I feel right now is special people. You are the people who changed the life of an immature kid from Northport Alabama.”
Starkville aldermen P.C. “Mac” McLaurin, Frank Davis and Lee Beck attended the banquet, along with former SA president Josh Blades, university president Charles Lee, vice president of student affairs William Kibler and other university administrators.
Members of the 2004-2005 Student Association also presented various awards. Outgoing SA Vice President Jeremy England presented the Hank Flick Senator of the Year award to Carter. Outgoing Chief of Staff Brian Havard presented the award for best cabinet member. Jennifer Glaze and Simon Bailey tied for the award.
Telle presented the Donna Maykowski Friend of the Student award, named for the SA’s business manager, to Director of Housing and Residence Life Ann Bailey. Telle said Bailey was truly dedicated to students, and cited her membership on the popular Web site thefacebook.com as proof.
Telle also presented the awards for Friends of the Student Association to Kibler and Sullivan’s Office Supply owner Steve Langston. Langston won the award in 2004 as well.
Kibler presented the Division of Student Affairs’ award for Outstanding Student Leader of the Year to former Reflector editor Josh Foreman.