KU student body president keeps family tradition, names executive staff

LAWRENCE -- Andrew Knopp, recently elected student body president at the University of Kansas, is continuing something of a family tradition.

His father, Joe, held the same office at Kansas State University in 1973.

Knopp, Manhattan senior in business, and his vice-president, Catherine Bell, Coffeyville senior in communication studies and political science, ran on the KUnited ticket, winning 62 percent of the vote in the elections, held April 9 and 10. As student body president, Knopp is in charge of a nearly $1 million budget, is responsible for student committee appointments and is heavily involved in legislative lobbying efforts on behalf of KU students.

Knopp and Bell have named their executive staff, listed below by hometown with their major, parents' names, high school alma mater and executive staff position. Presidential and vice presidential candidates also are listed.

KU Student Senate elections occur annually to elect the student body president, vice president and other Student Senate positions by student vote. The KUnited platform garnered 2,324 votes, with the Delta Force party getting 1,211 and the Lord Wads and the 12 Knights of the Crusade ticket, 184 votes. Drew Thomas, Hays senior in political science, and Farima Fallon Forakhi, Lawrence senior in political science, ran the Delta Force party, and Andrew Foertsch, Olathe senior in theatre and film, and Brett Wadsworth, Overland Park junior planning to major in architecture, the Lord Wads and the 12 Knights of the Crusade ticket.

CRAWFORD COUNTY
From Pittsburg
Kaelyn Fox, senior in business administration, daughter of Terry Fox; Colgan High School graduate; Center for Community Outreach co-director.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Farima Fallon Farokhi, senior in elementary education, daughter of Saeed and Mariam Farokhi; Lawrence High School graduate; vice-presidential candidate.

ELLIS COUNTY
From Hays
Drew Thomas, senior in political science; Hays High School graduate; presidential candidate.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa
Lindsay Kokoruda, senior in accounting, daughter of Russell and Sandra Kokoruda; Shawnee Mission West High School graduate; student body treasurer.

From Olathe
Andrew Foertsch, senior in theatre and film, son of Anita Foertsch; Shawnee Mission South High School graduate; presidential candidate.

From Overland Park
Tim Akright, sophomore in English, son of Brent and Rebecca Akright; St. Thomas Aquinas High School graduate; KU on Wheels transportation coordinator.

Brett Wadsworth, junior planning to study architecture, son of Denny Wadsworth; Shawnee Mission South High School graduate; vice-presidential candidate.

From Shawnee
Kevin Hager, sophomore in art history and sociology, son of Kathy Dorman; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School graduate; Center for Community Outreach co-director.

J. Nicholas Sterner, freshman in psychology and political science, son of Joseph and Marilynn Sterner; Mill Valley High School graduate; community affairs director and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences freshman/sophomore senator.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
From Coffeyville
Catherine Bell, senior in communication studies and political science and planning to study law, daughter of Melvin and Marsha Bell; Field Kindley Memorial High School graduate; student body vice president.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan
Andy Knopp, senior in accounting and business administration, son of Joe and Nancy Knopp; Manhattan High School graduate; student body president.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Kyle Johnson, senior in chemical engineering, son of Philip and Kay Johnson; Maize High School graduate; student executive committee chair and School of Engineering senator.

Bryan Young, sophomore planning to study business and law, son of Stephen Young; Wichita Southeast High School graduate; student body assistant treasurer.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Blake Shuart, junior in English, son of Laird and Marcia Shuart; Topeka West High School graduate; Student Legislative Awareness Board director and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences senator.

OKLAHOMA
From Edmond
Jana Szatkowski, sophomore planning to study journalism, daughter of Paul and Jennifer Szatkowski; Edmond Memorial High School graduate; student senate communications director and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences freshman/sophomore senator.

TEXAS
From Friendswood
Bryan Young, sophomore planning to study business and law, son of Stephen Young; Wichita Southeast High School graduate; student body assistant treasurer.

From Highland Village
Marynell Jones, freshman planning to study elementary education, daughter of Mary Lou Reece and Scott Jones; Edward Marcus High School graduate; student senate executive secretary and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences freshman/sophomore senator.