Friday, October 10, 2008
SGA President Amy Beard: Getting connected and giving back
 For Amy Beard, participation in student government is a twice-proven way to get connected on campus and give back.Beard is president of the Student Government Association this year. Her interest in student government developed during her high school years. Beard’s family relocated to Newburgh, Indiana, from Terre Haute when she was a freshman. Searching for a way to meet people and become active at Castle High School, she immediately got involved in student council. She served as president her senior year. “It was the same feeling again when I started at USI,” she said. “Student government can reach out and help so many students. It was natural that I would want to be involved.” Beard said October is an important month for SGA events. The organization sponsored a Town Hall meeting on October 8 to provide information about its travel grants and student organization support grants. Participants learned about the application process and guidelines. SGA will coordinate the USI observance of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week October 13-17. The first event will be a showing October 13 of a video about the life of Sam Spady, a 19-year-old college student who died of alcohol poisoning at Colorado State University in 2004. Sigma Pi fraternity is co-sponsor. Students can learn about SGA and meet their representatives at a cookout at the University Center on October 17. The Activities Programming Board and the offices of Residence Life and Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness are co-sponsors. Spring events include a “Speak Out” Town Hall meeting. The provost and deans will be invited to answer questions submitted by students. SGA representatives will participate in the annual USI Day at the Statehouse to meet state legislators in Indianapolis. Beard and members of the SGA executive board recently returned from a four-day conference in Washington, D.C. The National Student Government Summit brought together student leaders to exchange ideas. “There were schools from almost every state along with Canada and the Middle East,” Beard said. “Each of us tried to go to different sessions so that we could gain as much information as possible.” One of Beard’s goals for the year is to reinvent the Redzone, an SGA-sponsored organization of students who support USI Athletics. Beard hopes to eliminate the $5 membership fee, arrange a pre- or post-game gathering place in the Physical Activities Center for members, and offer better giveaways at games. She said interest in SGA is strong among freshmen this year. She has invited freshmen who have indicated interest in student government to serve on the Redzone committee. “We want them to be proud of their school,” she said. “Athletics is a big part of any college.” One of the most rewarding aspects of SGA for Beard is the privilege of working with others in the University community. “I think USI is a great institution. Being able to work with students, faculty and administrators is a way for me to give back,” she said. Beard served in SGA during her freshman and junior years as a representative for the Pott College of Science and Engineering. She entered USI with plans to major in chemistry and pursue a career in research, but she discovered her interests developing in other fields. She has a triple major in economics, Spanish, and international studies with minors in chemistry and political science. Her plans are to attend law school after graduating from USI this spring. Kathy Funke Office of News and Information Services 812/465-7050 kfunke@usi.edu |
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