On March 13, Washburn Student Government Association hosted its annual Spring Fling in the Union Underground to announce the newly elected WSGA officials for the 2026-2027 school year.
John Fritch, university provost and vice president of academic affairs, began the event by greeting the audience and announcing the newly elected senators for WSGA.
The senators are as follows: Taylor Reddington, Belle Hammes, Caitlyn Crim, Brennen Ross, Merit Carter, Hayden Berry, Alyssa Barbery, Grady Smith, Apollo Yucesan, Nick Lloyd, Meredith Ginn, Parker Whaley, Prekshya Adhikari, Aacrish Nanju, Amya Carpenter, Ashton Meier, Ka’Hari Mcfan, Autumn Stevens, Lauren Lightbourne, Aidan Hixon and Mallory Arnold.
Shortly after announcing the senators, Fritch stepped aside to announce the president and vice-president elects of WSGA as Caleb Newfer and Lillian Clark.
Presidential elect Newfer then approached the podium to address the audience and give a speech on his upcoming presidency.
“What inspired me most to run for office, are the students I see every day on this campus,” Newfer said. “From those working long shifts to pay for an education … to those coming from overseas with an unbounding confidence in America’s promise, I promise every day as your student body president to work in a way that aims to serve all students.”
Vice-president elect Clark, was unable to be present for the event as she was attending the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. However, she prepared a speech that was delivered by Newfer.
“‘I’m honored to be able to continue serving students in the role of vice president,’” said Newfer on behalf of Clark. “‘I’m inspired by the amazing students that serve in our senate and on the cabinet team.’”
The event ended with refreshments and the crowd celebrated the election results.
“[There are] students who have complaints on campus and I think sometimes student governments can be not up to the fight, or act as if they’re not up to the fight, to fight for those students,” Newfer said.
Newfer urges the student body to contact him at [email protected] if students have any concerns they want addressed and he will meet with them to help with the issue.
Edited by Stuti Khadka
