KU News Release

KU Student Senate announces executive officers for 2008-09

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Student Senate has announced its executive officers for the 2008-09 academic year.

During spring elections, Adam McGonigle, Wichita junior, and Michael Gillaspie, Ashland senior, were chosen to be president and vice president. Together with the executive staff, the president and vice president will direct internal operations and various Student Senate programs for the coming year.

The Student Senate consists of more than 90 elected and appointed senators representing each school of the university and campus living groups and organizations, including three holdover members elected by previous senate members. The senate maintains five standing committees that are open to all students. In addition, the Student Senate president appoints students to dozens of other all-university committees and boards. The executive staff is chosen through an application and interview process following the annual spring semester student elections.

Established in 1969, KU’s Student Senate is based on student governments that have existed in some form since the early 1900s at the university. All have been organized to enhance students’ collegiate learning experiences in and out of the classroom with a variety of student-run activities. With its elected and appointed representatives, Student Senate plays an integral role in shaping policies and procedures that affect the university.

The executive officers are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high school and office.

CLARK COUNTY
From Ashland 67831
Michael Gillaspie, senior in architectural studies, son of James and Barbara Gillaspie; Ashland High School; student body vice president.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Libby Johnson, sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, daughter of Carey and Jean Johnson; Lawrence High School; Student Senate executive secretary.

From Lawrence 66049
Mason Heilman, senior in secondary education with history and government concentration, son of Steve and Sally Heilman; Lawrence Free State High School; Student Executive Committee chair.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66212
Mandy Shriwise, senior in biochemistry, dance, French and pre-medicine, daughter of Rodney and Susan Shriwise; Shawnee Mission South High School; Center for Community Outreach co-director.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
From Independence 67301
Derek Meier, sophomore in civil engineering, son of Fred Meier and LaRonda Bollig; Independence Senior High School; KU on Wheels transportation coordinator.

RENO COUNTY
From Buhler 67522
Michael Gray, junior in biochemistry, son of Doug Gray and Doris Coats-Gray; Buhler High School; Student Senate legislative director.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66503
Mitch Knopp, junior in accounting, son of Joe and Nancy Knopp; Manhattan High School; Student Senate assistant treasurer.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67204
Adam McGonigle, junior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communication) and pre-law, son of Eric and Robin McGonigle; Wichita High School North; student body president.

From Wichita 67212
Aly Rodee, senior in communication studies and pre-journalism, daughter of Mike and Liz Rodee; Wichita High School Northwest; Student Senate communications director.

SHERMAN COUNTY
From Goodland 67735
Michael Wade Smith, sophomore in pre-business, son of Celia Smith; Goodland High School; Student Senate deputy communications director.

ILLINOIS
From Bolingbrook 60440
Ryan Lawler, senior in history and political science, son of Michael and Maria Lawler; Bolingbrook High School; Student Senate community affairs director.

VIRGINIA
From Great Falls 22066
Alex Porte, sophomore in political science, son of Phillip and Nancy Porte; Langley High School, McLean, Va.; Student Senate treasurer.

PHILIPPINES
From Manila
Ali Zeigler, junior in economics, international studies and pre-law, daughter of Robert and Crissan Zeigler; Brent International School; Center for Community Outreach co-director.

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