Candidates are not wasting a minute promoting themselves for next term’s presidency and vice presidency of the Washburn Student Government Association.

Two teams have announced their intentions to run – Josh Shald and Molly Shea as well as Pat Vogelsberg and Jimmy Dummermuth. Both teams have new goals for WSGA and the strategy, in which they plan to implement these goals, is in their platform.

Josh Shald and Molly Shea

Josh Shald, a junior history major, along with Molly Shea, a junior biology major, believe they can make a positive change in WSGA.

Shald, who is running as the presidential candidate, is from Coffeyville, Kan. He has served as a senator, parliamentarian and spirit committee chair for WSGA, has been a resident assistant in the LLC for two years and has served as vice president of programming for the Student Alumni Association Board. He is involved in Ichabod Pride, is a student ambassador, a Sagamore Honor Society member, a Student Orientation counselor, a Relay for Life Co-Chairman and Committee member and a Student Publications Board member.

His biggest accomplishment is working on WSGA through the spirit committee and being co-chair for Relay for Life.

Shea, the vice presidential candidate, is from Topeka, and has been a senator for one year and is on the spirit committee of WSGA. She is actively involved on campus, being the president of the Student Alumni Association, a student ambassador for three years and a residential assistant in the Living Learning Center. Her biggest accomplishment is having established Washburn as a home, and she is encouraging others to do the same. She believes that everyone has the capacity to be a leader.

“Live out what you think a leader should be and be an example,” said Shea.

Shald and Shea are both in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of Topeka and believes it has been influential to their leadership skills.

They look up to Jerry B. Farley, president of Washburn University, because they admire what he has accomplished.

“He has a passion for Washburn. He has a friendly persona, which is important in leadership. He looks excited to see any one,” said Shea.

Modeling themselves after Farley, they said they are committed to the University.

“We are passionate about student government, Washburn and serving the students,” said Shea.

Both having ample experience in WSGA, they are confident they will meet the criterion to be president and vice president.

Accessibility, Accountability and Community

“We want people to focus on our platform when they vote,” said Shea.

Their goal is to make WSGA more accessible to every student organization and individual on campus so that all Washburn students can utilize student government funds and services.

“We want to be a ticket of unity, bringing all aspects of all organizations with a well-run senate,” said Shald.

According to the two running mates, issues on campus cannot always be handled by WSGA. A partnership of student organizations and WSGA will be better serve the students.

Both the candidates believe that direct representations from each organization in senate is desirable, in order for the union of senate and student organizations to be effective. They believe this will take care of campus goals.

“We would like to change the perception that WSGA is not accessible. Many students do not know where it is or what they do,” said Shald.

Shald and Shea want to continue to be involved in matters outside of Washburn’s campus and they admire the involvement that WSGA has had in College Hill. They also want to continue to coordinate the discount program and want to encourage more businesses to participate.

“WSGA is constantly evolving and is still finding their role. We don’t want to change what has already been accomplished by WSGA, but we want to expand it by doing things differently and better,” said Shald.

Patrick Vogelsberg and Jimmy Dummermuth

Patrick Vogelsberg and Jimmy Dummermuth want to be the bridge between the students and the administration.

Vogelsberg, the presidential candidate, is a junior history major from Marysville, Kan. He has been active on Washburn’s campus since he was a freshman. As a freshman, he was a senator and on the communications committee of WSGA. He is the president and co-founder of Bod Squad, and chief of staff of WSGA. As chief of staff, he oversees the staff, works on projects that WSGA is working on, as well as plan events. He is also a board member of the Student Alumni Association.

His biggest accomplishment is starting Bod Squad.

“We saw a need and want of the students to want a way to get involved,” said Vogelsberg.

Four hundred students were members in the first year, which Vogelsberg believes bridged the gap between athletes and students.

Vogelsberg is inspired by his two older brothers. One is a KU law school student and the other is a physical therapist.

“They have become successful through handwork and commitment,” said Vogelsberg.

He wants to influence incoming freshmen, and share the commitment and passion for the University, in order to make them and Washburn more successful.

Dummermuth, a junior business accounting and finance major, is honored to run as vice president in support of Vogelsberg. He is also from Maryville, Kan. He has been a WSGA senator for one year. He is the chief of finance of the Washburn Finance Society, a member of Bod Squad, is on the board of the Student Alumni Association and is a member of Ichabod Pride.

He believes his biggest accomplishment is making friends and enjoying the Washburn experience.

“I am running for vice president to support my friend. We both love Washburn and have a lot of fun here. We want everyone to have the best time at Washburn,” said Dummermuth.

Straightforward Leadership

An approachable and friendly aura is what Dummermuth wants the student body to sense.

“I want to be the kind of vice president that people can come up to and approach,” said Dummermuth.

Their slogan, “straightforward leadership,” reveals how they want to get things done directly by working for the students.

“We want to be progressive and work directly to what the students want done. We want to keep moving up, being direct and focused,” said Dummermuth.

Vogelsberg believes students have had a positive experience with WSGA.

He sees the vast amount of what WSGA does, and wants to reinforce the positive experience.

“There is not a level that we should be satisfied with,” said Vogelsberg.

According to Vogelsberg, the president and vice president should know what is going on. WSGA’s responsibility comes along with the student activity fee, which is paid by each student at enrollment. They want to take on the responsibility to bridge the gap, not only between students and administration, but with Washburn and the community.

“We want to make known that Topeka is their city and students should be involved in their community, and at the same time make it known to Topeka that Washburn in their university, and they should accommodate the students,” said Vogelsberg.

One way he believes WSGA is doing this is through College Hill.

“College Hill provides Washburn students to bring money into the city,” said Vogelsberg.

Vogelsberg also wants to encourage students to volunteer in programs such as Circle K, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, because he believes volunteering adds to a well rounded education.

With experience, Vogelsberg believes he can make a difference, and shares a common goal with students, which is to foster education.

“Being involved in WSGA has allowed me to hear about a lot of what’s going on and hear about the status of Washburn,” said Vogelsberg.

Vogelsberg also wants to foster communication for students and rest of campus, by having open flow of communication for students and the administrative staff.

“You hear a lot when being involved, but hose who are not involved should still be in know. Washburn is transforming at a fast rate. When you are in the know you are more committed,” said Vogelsberg.

If elected as president and vice president, Vogelsberg and Dummermuth plan to re-instate Safe Ride.

“If we reinstate Safe Side, a lot of my friends would appreciate it as well as other students,” said Dummermuth.

His biggest accomplishment is working on WSGA through the spirit committee and being co-chair for Relay for Life.

Shea, the vice presidential candidate, is from Topeka, and has been a senator for one year and is on the spirit committee of WSGA. She is the president of the Student Alumni Association, a student ambassador for three years and a residential assistant in the Living Learning Center. Her biggest accomplishment is establishing Washburn as a home, and she is encouraging others to do the same. She believes that everyone has the capacity to be a leader.

“Live out what you think a leader should be and be an example,” said Shea.

Shald and Shea are both in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of Topeka and they believe it has been influential to their leadership skills.

They look up to Jerry B. Farley, president of Washburn University, because they admire what he has accomplished.

“He has a passion for Washburn. He has a friendly persona, which is important in leadership. He looks excited to see any one,” said Shea.

Modeling themselves after Farley, they said they are committed to the University.

“We are passionate about student government, Washburn and serving the students,” said Shea.

Accessibility, Accountability and Community

“We want people to focus on our platform when they vote,” said Shea.

Their goal is to make WSGA more accessible to every student organization and individual on campus so that all students can utilize student government funds and services.

“We want to be a ticket of unity, bringing all aspects of all organizations with a well-run senate,” said Shald.

According to the two running mates, issues on campus cannot always be handled by WSGA. A partnership of student organizations and WSGA will better serve the students.

Both the candidates believe that direct representations from each organization in senate is desirable, in order for the union of senate and student organizations to be effective.

“We would like to change the perception that WSGA is not accessible. Many students do not know where it is or what they do,” said Shald.

Shald and Shea want to continue to be involved in matters outside of Washburn’s campus and they admire the involvement that WSGA has had in College Hill. They also want to continue to coordinate the discount program and want to encourage more businesses to participate.

“WSGA is constantly evolving and is still finding their role. We don’t want to change what has already been accomplished by WSGA, but we want to expand it by doing things differently and better,” said Shald.

Patrick Vogelsberg and Jimmy Dummermuth

Patrick Vogelsberg and Jimmy Dummermuth want to be the bridge between the students and the administration.

Vogelsberg, the presidential candidate, is a junior history major from Marysville, Kan. He has been active on Washburn’s campus since he was a freshman. As a freshman, he was a senator and on the communications committee of WSGA. He is the president and co-founder of Bod Squad, and chief of staff of WSGA. As chief of staff, he oversees the staff, works on projects for WSGA, and plans events. He is also a board member of the Student Alumni Association.

His biggest accomplishment is starting Bod Squad.

“We saw a need and want of the students to want a way to get involved,” said Vogelsberg.

Four hundred students were members in the first year, which Vogelsberg believes bridged the gap between athletes and students.

He wants to influence incoming freshmen, and share the commitment and passion for the University, in order to make them and Washburn more successful.

Dummermuth, a junior business accounting and finance major, is honored to run as vice president in support of Vogelsberg. He is also from Marysville, Kan. He has been a WSGA senator for one year. He is the chief of finance of the Washburn Finance Society, a member of Bod Squad, is on the board of the Student Alumni Association and is a member of Ichabod Pride.

He believes his biggest accomplishment is making friends and enjoying the Washburn experience.

“I am running for vice president to support my friend. We both love Washburn and have a lot of fun here. We want everyone to have the best time at Washburn,” said Dummermuth.

Straightforward Leadership An approachable and friendly aura is what Dummermuth wants the student body to sense.

“I want to be the kind of vice president that people can come up to and approach,” said Dummermuth.

Their slogan, “straightforward leadership,” reveals how they want to get things done directly by working for the students.

“We want to be progressive and work directly to what the students want done. We want to keep moving up, being direct and focused,” said Dummermuth.

Vogelsberg believes students have had a positive experience with WSGA.

He sees the vast amount of what WSGA does, and wants to reinforce the positive experience.

“There is not a level that we should be satisfied with,” said Vogelsberg.

They also want to bridge the gap with the community.

“We want to make known that Topeka is their city and students should be involved in their community, and at the same time make it known to Topeka that Washburn is their university, and they should accommodate the students,” said Vogelsberg.

One way he believes WSGA is doing this is through College Hill.

“College Hill provides Washburn students to bring money into the city,” said Vogelsberg.

Vogelsberg also wants to encourage students to volunteer in programs such as Circle K and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and also bring back Safe Ride. He believes he can make a difference and foster education.

“Being involved in WSGA has allowed me to hear about a lot of what’s going on and hear about the status of Washburn,” said Vogelsberg.

Vogelsberg wants to improve communication by having open flow of communication for students and the administrative staff.

“You hear a lot when being involved, but those who are not involved should still be in know. Washburn is transforming at a fast rate. When you are in the know, you are more committed,” said Vogelsberg.