Before spring elections, few Southern University students knew his real name. The Student Government Association director of public of relations, disc jockey and former member of the SU Human Jukebox simply went by the nickname “Uncle Buck.”
After unanimously winning the support of the student body in the March 16 SGA presidential run-off election by a vote of 1,024 to 702, Wayne “Uncle Buck” Haydin, is a household name among the SU community.
“I am honored to be elected by my peers to such a prestigious position,” Haydin said. “It shows that the student body has faith in me to get the job done.”
However, his road to victory hasn’t been a smooth one. Haydin has received criticism on all levels because of the color of skin. He is the first Caucasian to be elected as SGA President at SU.
He went on “The Jam Syndicate” morning radio talk show on 94.1 FM-WEMX to defend his name and set the record straight on many topics, including his past experiences, his role as president at a historically Black university and his plans for the future of SGA.
“I didn’t sell any gimmicks. I ran on the issues that students face each day— housing, security and how their money is spent,” Haydin said. “It’s funny how the main people that are complaining about it either didn’t vote or not even attend SU at all.”
Haydin said the controversy will not deter him from doing what is best for the student body and he’s optimistic that he will he continue to have the support of the student body and administrators of the university.
“It was never a problem when this white boy danced in front of thousands of cheering fans during football season,” Haydin said. ” My color shouldn’t be an issue. I bleed blue and gold.
A senior political science major from New Orleans, Haydin has served the university in many capacities.
He served as public relations director under of the last three student government presidential administrations.
“I asked D-Rob (Derrick Robertson) to assign me a position that no one wanted,” Haydin said. During his three-year tenure as public relations director, Haydin published “The Messenger,” a monthly newsletter that informed students of the latest news on SGA.
Haydin was also a part of the planning committee to unite SU and Louisiana State University for the first “Black Family Reunion” held last year.
A highly recognizable face on campus, Haydin has continuously fought for student’s rights. He was called to serve as a liaison between students and the administration after the 1999 Homecoming murder of Robert Stillman in Reed Hall.
Haydin has already begun to implement his visions to make SU a better place for all students. He has already streamlined the positions of the executive cabinet.
“The SGA office is not the place for people to hang out, gossip and look for a free trip to Bayou Classic.” he said. “My number one goal is to make sure my administration operates in the best interest of the student body as a whole, rather than a select few.”
Between meetings with SUBR Chancellor Edward Jackson, sorting through resumes of prospective cabinet members and spinning records in front of the union at noon, Haydin said he would still be the same “Uncle Buck.”
He even said he would continue to live in White Hall, the traditionally known dormitory of upperclassmen in the band instead of moving to the suite reserved for SGA presidents in Bradford Hall, a honors dormitory.
“I’m going to continue to keep it real and be the voice of the students,” Haydin said.
