By the end of my sophomore year I had the unique opportunity to meet a friend named Sayan Becker, we like to call her Sa. It was approaching summer and I was going to be working for Language and Leisure Experts and Sa was going to be doing an internship down here in Boca. She was going to be living off-campus for the next two years during the summer her roommate wasn’t going to be there, so I told her I was spend the summer with her so that she wasn’t living alone.

Walter Becker in the Steely Dan Band playing guitar

It was just prior to living with her that I learned I was living with the daughter of the lead guitarist in Steely Dan. Sa, Armando, Karina, Sandy, Erica, Lynette, Erica’s Mom, and I had all gone down to Hard Rock Live to see him perform in the Spring, and tonight we had the chance to do it again.

Steely Dan was playing at the Mizner Park Amphitheater tonight and Sa got us all tickets, shirts, and VIP passes. Mike, France, Dominick, Sandy, and I went to Pranzo’s first for some dinner and drinks and then walked in to see the band play. We were close to the front of the stage and many would agree we were probably the youngest individuals there, but we were having a blast.

At the end of the concert we went back stage to see her father and I was so impressed and thankful that she was able to get my ticket once again to see the band and her father perform. It was a great concert and we had an amazing time. It’s been great to have a friend like Sa, but its going to be difficult seeing her move to Cali.

Dress in purple, Taryn and I didn’t plan on matching, I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of Student Government Association. Student Government President truly has been one of the most rewarding leadership positions that I have held in my entire life. I learned so many transferable skills for life after college with the support and guidance from all of the faculty, staff, and my peers on campus. I recognized my executive board this evening for their overwhelming dedication to SGA this year and I took the opportunity to recognize some seniors as well with honor cords and a mortarboard because SGA wouldn’t be where it is today without their help. More importantly, I wouldn’t be the leader and activist for campus change and development that I am without my advisors, Jen and Anthony.

As the end of the year comes to an end I have started to get emotional with the thought of leaving behind a campus that has meant so much to me. However, Taryn obviously thought I needed to get more emotional as she addressed me in her speech prior to presenting me the Hundrieser Fellowship Award. She said, “I have a quote, because we love those this evening!’A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.’ This individual has motivated students through every step he has taken on this campus,” and I thought I was going to tear, but it was when she said “I also had the privilege of speaking to the recipient’s mom today, and she wanted me to tell you this, ‘I love you, and I am so proud of you. Everything you have gotten you have earned, and I’m so lucky,’” that I lost it.  

As recipient of Returning RA of the Year and the Hundrieser Fellowship Award, I have a strong feeling of appreciation and gratitude for what I have earned. Furthermore, to see SGA be recognized as the Organization of the Year and for Civility Week to be Program of the Year, I look back on this past year and I am proud of our dedication, commitment, and passion for being a Lynn student.

BE AN ACTIVE CITIZEN:

1.       What event on campus helped Lynn become the number one University for online donations?

2.       If you wanted to volunteer at a local food kitchen, where would you go? Take a picture with 15 bare toes in it, from your team, in front of their Boca Raton headquarters.

3.       What was the name of the event FAU, Lynn and PBCC just co-sponsored together at FAU?

4.       Register your entire team with www.savedarfur.org to ask President Obama to act now and stop the genocide in Darfur. Bring us the confirmation print outs.

But the list alone wasn’t their only tasks. Between 12am and 7am this morning they are receiving text messages every hour on the hour to accomplish a task. No team is required to complete every task, but the big bonus points definitely encourages them to do so.

Text Message Challenges:

1.  Collect 20 canned goods (5 different variety) and bring them to the Elks Lodge in Boca Raton by 1:45am to donate to Students for the Poor to receive 10 points.

2. Collect 2 shirts, 2 jeans, and one pair of shoes and bring them to the Army Navy Store in West Boca by 5:15am to donate to Students for the Poor to receive 15 points.

3. Count the amount of speed bumps on campus and text the number by 3:35am to receive 10 points.

Fatigue was rarely noticed on the faces of the players. They were running full force to complete as much as possible. They were having so much fun and bleeding blue and white as their pride for Lynn was represented around the community…..who will win???

Yesterday afternoon at the captains meeting we had six teams signed up. I was getting so nervous. The first place prize was $2500, second place prize was OSI packages, and third place was each team member to receive a digital camera and GPS system. With all the time, energy, and money that we had invested in this project, six teams was not going to work.

We just let the teams off with their list of over 350 riddles and problems to solve. In less than 18 hours from yesterday, our team number grew from 6 to 20. It was unbelievable. The Schmidt building was packed with students, faculty, and staff eager to participate in what will soon be a Lynn tradition. We had the teams, they had the clues, and they were off…

President-Mohamed Abdalla

Vice President- Jennifer Rodriguez

Chief Financial Officer- Armando Castillo

KAT Chair- Zach Welsh

RHA Chair- Steph Hammerman

The two candidates that did not win show a huge amount of dedication, enthusiam, passion and contribution to our university and student involvement on campus. I am so proud of all the candidates that ran for these positions because they raised the bar. They have set new expectations for advertising…who would have thought to have placed sheet banners all over campus and bags lining the sidewalks. Ryan and Henry will be an asset to any leadership position on campus. Their passion for this university is immeasurable. Ryan always says, “If you asked me “Why Lynn?” I would say because of all of you; an experience of this quality is incomparable and priceless.”

Exactly one year ago I was elected into the position of Student Government President. It meant so much to me to have an opportunity to represent the student body. I was running unopposed, but achieving this position connected me with the university. Being President of SGA is no easy task. There are obstacles and challenges that you face each week and I am constantly working with administrators, and people from other campuses and organizations to see how we can improve student life on campus. As SGA President,  it has been an honor to serve the student body and work with all the students to help them achieve their goals and wishes.

Today, although I do not pass over my gavel, it begins to mark an end of my term. I sit here and try to reflect about what has happened and what has been changed, and I am overwhelmed by the accomplishments of SGA. We couldn’t have done what we did this year without the help of Academic Affairs, Student Life, Marketing and Communication, Accounts Payable, Matt Chaloux and the Maintenance Department, and each and every student.

As I set up the polling sites today, and then saw the candidates lined up on the sidewalks that they are able to campaign, it reminded me of the last years in Student Government. Creating advertisements that were new and improved, thinking outside the box, and capturing as many students to select me as the right candidate.

I have worked with both candidates Ryan Brooks and Mohamed Abdalla this year, as they sat on the executive board of SGA. Both of them entered this election with a strong understanding of leadership and what it means to serve as SGA president. Each candidate expressed different ideas, however all their ideas are linked to a central theme: Bringing Together the Lynn Community! To me, this is my home.  My heart and soul is here and it is because of all the people around me that create this caring, considerate, engergetic atmosphere.

Results of the election….to be posted immediately prior to announcement.

It is interesting to observe that some students are not sure how to act or respond when they are kindly handed a water and breakfast. Do you say thank you? Of course you do, be civil. Do a kind act. Be respectful. Civility Week 2009!

We are currently working on our two semester projects: civility week and the amazing chase. Ryan is in charge of civility week and he is really doing a great job. We had our second civility meeting today at lunch and we decided the design of our buttons, tshirts, and banners. I am really looking forward to this initiative because I think it can have a very powerful impact on our community.

The Amazing Chase is going to be a 24 hour scavenger hunt on campus and within the Boca Raton community. It will be open to students, faculty, and staff. We really want to get the ENTIRE community involved. It is going to be a lot of fun and we are looking to create a tradition that can continue in the future.

Are you interested in SGA? Will you be the next SGA President? Elections are approaching quickly and I am really looking forward to individuals stepping up to the plate and running for the e-board. Applications are due March 16th so feel free to come by the SGA office in Knights’ Court to pick one up!

If there is anyone that goes to Lynn and is not proud they should have been watching CNN news throughout the entire election. None other than our very own professor, Dr. Robert Watson, was reporting in the studio the election updates. Those students who did not know him were shocked and amazed. After seeing Dr. Watson speak at Be Counted last week, I am not surprised in the least that he is represented on national TV in the election updates. His knowledge and expertise is remarkable and it was great to watch him on TV.

I believe that speeches made by McCain and Obama will both go down in history as well educated professional speeches admired my all. McCain, although defeated, shows inspiration to his supporters for the future of our country. The moment when Obama was announced, defined an important time in the history of our country. Screaming, laughter, celebration tears, and excitement surrounded the Knights’ Court….it was the Lynn community coming together to share a piece of US history.

So I leave for a conference Thursday morning, Founders Day, in extreme disappointment because Founders Day is one of my favorite days on campus. Since it began two years ago, I have never witness any other day like it. It is when the entire Lynn Community comes together to celebrate a great day in Lynn history. This year I was flying to South Carolina for the SAACURH conference and was missing out, but the photos always can demonstrate the true experience. SGA was determined in the canoe race, but it looks like they went swimming instead of paddling. Ryan, with his arms raised high in the sky, looks like he saying “are you kidding me?”. Tova overwhelmed by pond water, shows frustration. Mohamed, which I found out is to blame, seems content but questioning. Fun times at Founders Day!