Sarah Hutchinson, a junior Centre College student and member of the Student Government Assosciation (or SGA), was recently elected President of SGA. She will serve as the student body President during the 2016 - 2017 school year, her senior year. She agreed to talk with me about herself, her experience in SGA, and her thoughts on her new position.

DB: "Could you tell me a little about yourself? Where are you from? What do you enjoy doing in your free time, and what are you involved in on campus?"

SH: "I’m Sarah Morgan Hutchinson, I am 21 years old and from Versailles, KY. In my free time I enjoy watching cute animal videos, laughing too hard at my own jokes, and admiring my gnome collection. I also enjoy more typical activities like hanging out with my friends and family, trying new foods, and singing along to Beyonce songs. I am also on the cheer team and involved in the choir program."

DB: "What year are you here at Centre, and what are you majors and minors?"

SH: "I’m a Junior and I’m majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in Psychology."

DB: "How and when did you get involved in SGA?"

SH: "I was the person who went up to Kendrick Durham on Centre of Attention Day when I was still a senior in high school and asked him how I would get involved in SGA. I served as President of my class in high school government, so SGA has always been something I have wanted to do. I have been in SGA since fall of my freshman year when I served as a Freshman Representative. My sophomore year I served as Student Affairs committee chairperson, and I am wrapping up this year as Campus Improvements committee chairperson."

DB: "What was the first project that you were involved in or spear-headed in SGA?"

SH: "The first big project I worked on was bringing the Student Discount Cards to campus last year. My committee and I first worked to make a comprehensive list of businesses, restaurants, and other places in Danville we found that Centre students frequented, then I was in communication with the company who talks to the companies to make the discounts happen. The program has received positive feedback, and luckily it will be continuing!"

DB: "What has been the most rewarding part of SGA?"

SH: "The most rewarding experience I have had through SGA is showing people that they have a voice in what happens on this campus and their opinion really does matter. When people come up to you, and say things like, “I suggested this, and I am so glad you all made it happen”, or “I didn’t know SGA did this, but thank you for doing it!” I respond with, “Thank YOU for the suggestion” I want people to feel a sense of pride in our campus, and when they know they have a voice and use it, the impact is amazing. The night the election started, one guy came up to me and told me he voted for me, and I thanked him, and he said, “No, Sarah, thank you for giving me something to vote for”. That comment is something I will never forget."

DB: "When and why did you decide to run for President of SGA?"

SH: "I had many people ask me starting from my sophomore year to run, so it is something I had been considering for a couple of years. In early fall when I found my passion in improving campus safety, that was the turning point when I knew I wanted to be President, and that was how I was going to make the greatest impact at Centre."

DB: "What was the campaign process like?"

SH: "I really wanted to focus on appealing to people personally, and showing them I am a real person and willing to listen. I was the last person to turn in my petition with 200 signatures because I went up to people I didn’t know and got to know them before asking them to sign my petition. I visited and sent emails to different organizations and let them know what my platform issues were and answered questions and encouraged them to vote in this election. Facebook was also hugely utilized in this election. From announcements, to pictures, to my official platform, I was so shocked by the number of shares and likes and comments my posts received. And my hashtag! #SarahForCentre was something people really latched on to and I was able to structure my platform around. The support I received in person and on social media was absolutely incredible, and I am forever appreciative of the people who supported me."

DB: "Most of us know that you have since won the Presidency. How did you feel when you heard the news?"

SH: "During the election, I had been pretty nervous, but that Thursday night when I went to sleep, I was at ease, because I knew whatever was going to happen, would happen. When I woke up that morning (Remember, it was April Fools’ Day), I looked at my phone as saw at least 20 text messages, and I was absolutely overwhelmed with congratulatory texts, but it didn’t sink in until I saw the official email. I was so excited and humbled to not only be elected, but to see that we had almost 800 people vote. It was double the typical number of votes, so the fact that so many more people had voted was amazing to me. I am so proud of everyone for sharing their opinion in this election!"

DB: "What are you most excited about with this new position?"

SH: "This position to me is a service position, so being able to serve and represent my fellow students to an even greater level is so exciting. I also really enjoy how people are so willing to approach me about issues and ideas they have. I just want people to realize Centre is our home, and we all should have a say and know what is going on. Even as President, I am still a representative of the student body, and that is my main goal."

DB: "What are your goals for the 2016/2017 year as President of SGA?"

SH: "As far as things I want to do in the next year, I will continue to improve campus safety and security, and emphasis and increase recycling and sustainability on campus. I have had meetings with the administration and already made small changes, but next year, those two issues will be big projects I work on with SGA. I can’t wait to see how campus improves in the next year! I also want to encourage inclusivity and diversity within SGA, because we make decisions that effect the whole student body, the whole student body needs to be represented. I want to help other people live up to their potentials, and really enhance the Centre student experience. In order to do that, I want to continue to hear from everyone, and make your suggestions and ideas become reality!"

Sarah looks forward to serving Centre, and we can't wait to see what she does!