Chase Brasher, Dylan Gerlach and Jeremiah Johnson are the three men running for president of the Student Government Association for the 2012-13 school year.
Brasher, senior from Paducah, Ky., said he is running for SGA because he wants to make a difference with the students of Murray State.
“I look at the campus and the student body and I see separation,” Brasher said. “I want to see the students come together.”
Brasher is a member of Alpha Sigma Phi and a student worker for the College of Business.
He said he wants student organizations to work together to make Murray State more cohesive.
Brasher said he was always told when you do something, or join something, make sure you leave it better than you found it.
“I feel like there is no better way to do that than SGA,” Brasher said. “I would say the past year would be the most involved SGA has been with the community and the campus and I feel like I am ready to step up to that position.”
Gerlach, junior from Louisville, Ky., said he feels he can be an adequate voice for the student body.
Gerlach, a biology major, is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity as well as the Murray State men’s tennis team.
“It is my hope to become elected SGA president because I feel I can offer a new perspective,” Gerlach said. “I think that I could provide a positive change where the students feel their opinions matter.”
He said he wants to help build the relationship between the city and University, among other objectives.
“I would rally for a stronger retention program,” Gerlach said. “The number of students who leave Murray after their first year is very high; it is our job to help ensure that all students feel welcome and at home.”
Johnson, senior from Hopkinsville, Ky., and current SGA president, will be running for a second year. He will be attending Murray State as a graduate student next year.
Along with serving as SGA president and student regent, Johnson is an agriculture major and a member of Alpha Gamma Rho.
“I want to make students more involved with the SGA budget,” Johnson said. “I also really like to be involved with the administration and it has given me an insight on why things are the way they are.”
He said his favorite part about serving as SGA president was watching a student suggestion come to fruition.
“You are able to see the student voice be heard and what happens when students make suggestions,” Johnson said.
Kevin Coughlin, sophomore from Binghamton, N.Y., and Ellie Rodenberg, junior from Eureka, Mo., are the two students running for SGA vice president.
Sidney Anderson, sophomore from Carollton, Ky., and Robert Spalding, sophomore from Mayfield, Ky., are the candidates for secretary.
Greg Bone, senior from Louisville, Ky., is the only candidate running for SGA treasurer.
“With help from the other members of SGA, I want to use the money in our budget to provide maximum benefits to all of the students at Murray State,” Bone said. “Everyone wants a legacy and I hope that my small role in SGA can help me to leave behind something that is still around after I’m gone.”
At-large senators candidates are Michael Dobbs, freshman from Winchester, Ky., Samantha Anderson, senior from Winchester, Ky., Matthew Bailey, freshman from Hardinsburg, Alix Bloodworth, freshman from Murray, Christian Bowles, freshman from Prospect, Ky., A.J. Glaser, freshman from Louisville, Ky., and Luis Aponte, junior from Clarksville, Tenn.
The winners for all positions will be announced at 5 p.m. Wednesday at All Campus Sing.