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The Indiana Daily Student

Final Union Board leaders selected Friday night

After nearly six hours of interviews with students Dec. 9 in the Indiana Memorial Union Hoosier Room, a panel of campus leaders selected the final eight Union Board leaders for the 2012 calendar year.

Matthew Wilkinson, Jared Thomas, Jessica Thomas, Kasie Kyle, Kyle Brehm, Graham Davis, A.J. O’Reilly and Eric Farr joined the other eight students elected in the 24-hour election that ended Dec. 6.

Candidates were given the choice to run for election via student vote or attempt to be selected by a panel of interviewers. About 24 students opted to participate in the interview process, said Lisa Wagner, Union Board election selections commissioner.

Among others, the panel consisted of a graduate advisor, Residence Halls Association representatives, Union Board members and IMU director Bruce Jacobs. Each candidate had a 15-minute interview with the panel.

In the hours leading up to his interview, junior Eric Farr, who served as an assistant director for the Union Board’s debates and issues committee this past semester, tried to predict what questions he would be asked. Now a director for the 2012 board, he said the preparation helped him clearly convey his thoughts before the panel.

“They asked me how I personally see the Union and what I would like to do to make it a better place for students,” he said.

Farr said he anticipates a fairly easy transition into his new position because of his past experience with Union Board.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s a privilege and an honor to be selected as a Union Board director.”

Wagner said the transition process will begin immediately with training activities, such as the two-hour information session that took place Dec. 10 for all the newly-elected directors.

Three of the 16 students chosen will be appointed to the board’s executive positions — president and two vice presidents — Jan. 11, and remaining students will receive their committee assignments. Until then, Wagner said, the 2012 board members will work closely with the board’s current members.

“Now is a time for them to get familiar with the board,” she said. “The new board members are getting a grasp on how they can positively affect campus.”

Senior A.J. O’Reilly served as the director of Canvas Creative Arts Magazine, Union Board’s literary and visual arts magazine, the past two years and will serve a third year on the board of directors as he completes his degree and builds his portfolio in the coming year.

“I think the transition is going to be smooth,” he said. “A big thing that will improve this year is the time old directors will spend with incoming directors. People have been talking about how important (it) is to get the right tools to the new directors and get the ball rolling faster.”

Students elected Dec. 6 are Hillary Anderson, Erin Brown, Brad Domash, Ronald Gilbert, Sam Shechtman, Rachel Sheppard, Riley Voss and Brianna Whittenbarger. The 16 students will begin their terms at the end of January.

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