ELECTION RESULTS!
AUSU Elections were held March 3-6, 2012, and 17 candidates appeared on the ballot. Thank you to all who ran, and all who voted! The nine candidates who have been elected to form the 2012-2014 AUSU Council are: Wendy Barnard, Bethany Tynes, James Ramsbottom, Evan Schmidt, Ashley Charlton, Toni Fox, Kim Newsome, Jason Nixon, and Craig French.
Of the nine candidates elected, four are incumbents (James, Toni, Kim, and Bethany), while five are fresh new faces! we’ll look forward to sharing more about our new group as time goes on, but for an introduction, here’s what they had to say about themselves while still campaigning:
Wendy Barnard: ?In 2009 I enrolled in AU’s BComm Accounting program, and it was the best decision I ever made. Until that point I had been randomly taking courses at various colleges and universities throughout Toronto, trying to piece together my own BComm. AU made everything simpler. As a part-time student at AU I still have plenty of time to devote to my (almost) husband and challenging teenage boy. I am also able to work full-time in the accounting industry (using what I learn to constantly improve myself) and still have time to do things I enjoy. My main hobbies are knitting and crocheting for charity, reading and reviewing books for my blog, and wrestling with my two German Shepherd ?puppies.? During my time at Mohawk College in Hamilton I was elected Business Director of their Student Council. It was a great experience and I hope to bring that knowledge to my position with AUSU. My main focus is to create a voice for the student body by interacting with them regularly through social media to learn, and share, their issues and ideas. A fellow student once called me AU proud, and he couldn’t be more right!?
Evan Schmidt: ?Hello fellow members of AUSU! I’m a part-time student and I live in the town of Vaudreuil-Dorion, located in the outskirts of Montreal. I am currently enrolled in the Certificate of Marketing, and later plan on completing my Bachelor’s degree after getting a few more certificates. I’ve been home-schooled since I was 10, live in a francophone community, am vegetarian, have six dogs, and have been involved with AU and AUSU since I was 14 (I am 20 now), so I really appreciate how Athabasca caters to the uniqueness of each student. Often doing things backwards myself (heck, I got my pilot’s license two years before my driver’s license!), I realize the importance of making sure that everyone is represented. I volunteer three nights a week with the Air Cadet Program (for teens ages 12-18), so I know what hard work and dedication can accomplish (hence the pilot’s license!). I always strive for excellence and make sure that everything counts. That is why I think I would be great on the AUSU Student Council. It would be my honour to represent my fellow students, and a responsibility I would not take lightly!?
Ashley Charlton: ?I have been an AU student since September 2009, working on a BA with an English major. I am a stay-at-home parent to my two preschool-aged daughters. My hobbies include long-distance running, playing the saxophone, and snowboarding; I am especially excited to be running my first-ever full marathon this summer. I also enjoy volunteering within my community. For over five years I was a member of the executive for minor soccer and I am now in my third year of acting as the secretary for the non-profit performance band that I play in. My previous involvement in minor sports gave me ample experience in conflict resolution and problem solving, while my experience with my band involves creative fundraising, finding new ways to recruit members, and keeping organized. I feel that these experiences, as well as my enthusiasm for AU and the flexible education opportunities it offers, make me an ideal candidate for a position on AUSU’s student council. During my time at AU I have found the AUSU community to be exceedingly welcoming and supportive and I would love the opportunity to serve this community by continuing the positive atmosphere and providing useful resources for its members.?
Jason Nixon: Jason Nixon lives in Sundre, Alberta and is in AU BComm program (Accounting Major). Jason has a BA Diploma from SAIT which he completed through distance education as well as over 10 years of management experience in both the for-profit industry and lately as an Executive Director of a non-profit agency working with urban underprivileged in a rural setting. Jason is excited about the opportunity to represent his fellow students on the council and if elected will use his experience and skills in management, program development, and distance education to work with council members and the AUSU executive to advance our members? interests.
Craig French: ?Eleven years after graduating with a degree in Computer Engineering and Management from McMaster University, I felt the urge to broaden my academic horizons. I enrolled in a night course at McMaster. However, I found that the structure of a traditional university course was challenging to interweave with my additional responsibilities as a husband, a parent of three young children, and my career as a software engineer. In 2008 I discovered AU. With the flexibility it offered, I learned that I could handle my responsibilities and pursue further education simultaneously. Since then I have been enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program as a part-time student. I have the skills and experience necessary to be an effective member of the AUSU Student Council. I have board experience. I’m currently serving as Vice-Chair of a not-for-profit organization that produces subsidized fresh food boxes. I have a reputation for getting things done. I was voted ?Executive of the Year? as Vice-President of the Student Alumni Association of McMaster. By virtue of my profession, I bring deep technical knowledge of Internet and telecommunications technologies. Finally, I have recently received awards for my public speaking skills at Toastmasters. Vote Craig French for great results!?
We look forward to seeing what the new council will be able to accomplish during their term! Congratulations to those elected, and thanks to all who ran!
This column is provided by AUSU to facilitate communication with its members. The Voice does not write or edit this section; all content has been exclusively and directly provided by AUSU, and any questions or comments about the material should be directed to ausu@ausu.org.
