Eric Woods and Emily Moon are officially the new president and vice-president of the Missouri Students Association at an inauguration ceremony Saturday night.
Board of Elections Commissioners Chairman Jacob Sloan acted as Master of Ceremonies and MSA Adviser Farouk Aregbe gave the first speech of the night. Aregbe emphasized the importance of students being service leaders.
“As an adviser, I want to challenge each of you to be student leaders,” Aregbe said. “We need to reach out to students like we’ve never done before.”
Dan Kelley, Chief of Staff of the Woods administration, said he had experience working with three executive cabinets.
“I know what it takes to get the job done, and I look forward to working with this executive cabinet,” Kelley said.
Secretary of Auxiliaries Matt Sheppard said MSA auxiliaries are the most visible component of MSA.
“Those two combined made me want to join this campaign,” Sheppard said. “It’s the most astounding team I’ve ever seen, and this Cabinet fully represents what Mizzou is about.”
Sheppard said they have already hit the ground running and had already had a meeting to discuss expanding STRIPES.
Greg Loeffler, Director for the Department of Student Services, said it was time to celebrate the beginning of a new partnership.
“We’re all here today because we care about Mizzou,” Loeffler said.
A repeated issue addressed through the speeches was the lack of communication between MSA and the students. Victoria Craig, Director of Student Communications, said she was determined to address this problem.
“I want to make sure we have a presence on campus,” Craig said. “If it’s done correctly, we can be successful and benefit every student at the university.”
Chancellor Brady Deaton gave the evening’s keynote address. He said the new Cabinet members’ speeches were inspiring.
“You have a wonderful group of mentors,” Deaton said. “Tonight is a wonderful night, and you should be proud of the role you play.”
Moon said she was thrilled to be an official part of MSA.
“The world is much bigger than just myself, and MSA instills that in me every day,” Moon said. “This will be the best year Mizzou has seen yet.”
Outgoing President Tim Noce spoke before Woods inauguration. He said his words of wisdom for Woods and all those in attendance were to hold themselves accountable to the students.
In his speech, Woods said when he swore Noce in as president one year ago, he never thought he would be on the other side.
“Who is crazy enough to hold this position?” Woods said. “I obviously am that crazy, crazy enough to be an advocate for students.”
Woods also addressed the lack of communication between MSA and the students.
“Communication has been sadly deteriorating through recent years,” Woods said. “What we want to do is provide students with an opportunity to meet with us face to face.”
Woods said he would like to put a face to the organization that does so much for its students. He said he is honored and humbled to have the position of president.
“I cannot explain how excited I am to be working with everyone,” Woods said.