Washburn University March 29, 2017
Volume 143, Issue 23
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Simmons-Weinkauf prepare for office
Photo by Mark Feuerborn
You Matter: Alexis Simmons (left) and Scott Weinkauf celebrate moments after the results of the Washburn Student Government Associations 2017 president and vice president election are announced.
Mark Feuerborn
WASHBURN REVIEW
Alexis Simmons and Scott Weinkauf, the newly elected WSGA president and vice president, have come back to school from Spring Break ready for business. The two recently won the presidential election on March 17 with 264 votes, just 10 more than runner-ups, Zac Surritt and Jim Henry. At the gathering following the election results announced by Washburn University President Jerry Farley, Simmons gave a few statements on the victory. “I’m a political science major, and that’s an example [of] why you should always vote,” Simmons said. “It’s exciting, and I think [this victory] shows you can be whatever kind of student you want to be
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at Washburn. I’m excited to provide further resources and support the students who also want to get involved.” In the week now following Spring Break, Simmons said her administration is working on integrating into WSGA as they await their inauguration. “I’m excited to bring that momentum from the campaign into the senate,” Simmons said. WSGA senate elections were also held in tangent with the presidential election, and Simmons said she is pleased with those election results as well. “I saw a lot of faces I know from other student organizations I’ve been in,” Simmons said. “They’re freshmen and sophomores, and so seeing them get involved is exciting, because I think there are going
to be some new ideas to accompany Scott and I’s.” Henry, who will retain his position as WSGA senator along with former running mate Surritt following the election results, says he looks forward to continue improving Washburn with the Simmons-Weinkauf administration. “We all have the same goal and that’s making Washburn the best it can be,” Henry said. “That doesn’t mean I will agree with everything that comes from the administration or cease working towards my goals, but we must cooperate if we want to get things done.” On platform implementation, Weinkauf said he is excited to begin work on his proposals for campus involvement, specifically bringing more businesses to the area
surrounding Washburn. “The first step is to continue our talks with the business faculty and students about making detailed plans to fill those locations, and survey the students on what they want to bring closer to campus,” Weinkauf said. “After this is done, we will present this plan to potential investors and community members looking to open a business of their own.” Simmons noted she is especially hopeful about combatting sexual assault with Shelley Bearman, who is bringing the Active Bystander initiative to Washburn’s campus. “I think partnering with Shelley Bearman is going to be a great opportunity to reach out to students and promote WSGA as an organization for both resources and student support on campus,” Simmons said. Simmons previously mentioned that students should reach out to her with additional concerns on campus safety, which she now has responses on. “Scott and I had a student reach out to us regarding security in the Art Building,” Simmons said. “Apparently during Senior Exhibits, certain students had pieces go missing, and the security measures in place seem to be inadequate. Some renovations are certainly necessary and that’s the exact kind of information we’re looking to get from students.” Simmons encouraged students to contact her with additional concerns via social media or in person. Mark Feuerborn, mark. feuerborn@washburn.edu, is a junior mass media major
Grad Fair
March 30th, 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Vendors, Prizes, Refreshments, and Graduation Deals!
PTKAW puts on 5k race Ryan Thwompson
WASHBURN REVIEW
The Phi Theta Kappa Alumni of Washburn University will host a 5 kilometer race April 1 as a fundraiser for the organization. PTKAW will be giving away gift cards as prizes at the race. There is no fee to participate in the event, although PTKAW will be accepting donations. The 5k will be the organization’s primary fundraiser for this year and 50 percent of the proceeds will go directly to PTKAW. The other half of donations will be split between two beneficiaries. “Twenty-five percent of the proceeds are going to the Committee Health Ministry,” said Paul Flumen, secretary of Phi Theta Kappa Alumni of Washburn University. “They are a regional, non profit organization that promotes hope and wellness. What they do, regionally, is they have facilities where they have medical and dental care for people in need. In their major facilities, they have a food pantry and an everything else pantry.” The remaing donations will go to the Kansas/Nebraska Region of PTK. “What that is, is the region-wide existence of PTK chapters at community colleges across Kansas and Nebraska,” Flumen said. “The donations provide colleges with PTK chapters the ability to grow and host their own fundraising events, and just PTKAW: continued on page 3