Justin E. McCorkle, theself-proclaimed “people’s president”, on Wednesday, was elected SouthernUniversity Student Government Association president with 1,011votes. Alvin J. Woods, McCorkle’s opponentreceived 586 votes, an 86-point drop from the primary elections held Monday.
“Southern University has a newleader,” said McCorkle, who used his one-point lead in the primaries to win by425 votes, “It’s time for the student body on this campus to unite so we canmake changes on this campus — effectively and in a timely manor.”
As his first order of business,McCorkle plans to have an open call to students who want to work on hiscabinet.
“I will be posting memorandumsstating that I will have applications for certain positions on my Cabinet.Applicants will be chosen before the semester is over.”
Stating in the debate heldTuesday, McCorkle wants to enhance the university’s culture.
“I will work diligently toincrease student activities and programs; that includes music, art, dance andtheater activities so our people may have a holistic diverse culturalexperience while paying their money to attend this institution.”
Known for his charismaticpresence with people, McCorkle held the audience’s attention during the run-offdebates.
McCorkle wants to increase thecommunications between the student body and the SGA president.
“I’m human and don’t pretend toknow all the questions and concerns of the students at Southern University,” hesaid. “I will post and keep setoffice hours so that students can come directly to me with these questions andconcerns.”
McCorkle has been taught,through campaigning, that the SGA president needs to be a personal person.
“By campaigning, I have learnedthat the student body isn’t fooled by flash. The students are more touched on apersonal level when they see the passion and desire in your eyes,” said JasonHughes, a senior senator who is elated about the SGA election results.
“I’m ecstatic right now aboutthe election results. We have elected a president that can relate well to thestudents. We have finally taken and reclaimed SGA and I see great potential inthe future from them.”
Tristan Mitchell, a freshmancriminal justice major from Bastrop, has an optimistic look for the newlyelected president.
“I feel great. The students arefinally going to take back the yard. I think Justin McCorkle, the man that hasbeen my mentor for this year, is best suited for this job.”
Firmly standing on his platformof accountability, McCorkle plans to implement university employee reviews andan open-door policy for the SGA office.
“I am going to request morerooms for the SGA so there will be a distinction between work rooms and loungerooms,” McCorkle said at the April 12 debate, “I also want every visitor to theoffice to be greeted by a warm, smiling face.”
When confronted about thedivision of the SGA and other campus organizations, McCorkle said, “In thefall, I want to have a club fair sponsored by the SGA so all students can beaware of all the clubs and organizations on campus.”
McCorkle, who was junior classpresident for the 2004-2005 school year helped organize the Lacumba IIIproject, a town hall meeting to address the car towing issues and is a studentrepresentative for the Southern University Student Alumni Association.
