Family, friends and Student Government colleagues gathered to watch as incoming SG President Allen Richey and Vice President Jason Wesley were sworn into office.
Darrell Broussard, outgoing SG president, and Neil Matthews, Student Life and Academic Services vice chancellor, welcomed the 77th student body president and vice president. They also both expressed their excitement about the year ahead.
Richey and Wesley took an oath to support the SG constitution and bylaws and faithfully perform their duties to the best of their abilities.
Richey and Wesley follow in the footsteps of Louisiana Sen. Jay Dardenne, Board of Supervisors Chairman Roger Ogden and Director of University Special Events Randy Gurie as SG’s executive officers, Matthews said.
The newly sworn in officials promised to accomplish their goals and work for a “better LSU.”
Both Richey and Wesley thanked their parents for preparing them their entire lives to take on these large leadership positions.
      Ruth and Lee Wesley are rooting for their son and are eager to see him and Allen obtain their goals in SG.
On election night, Ruth said they were waiting on “pins and needles” to find out the results. The couple is confident in both Jason and Allen’s ability to accomplish the goals outlined in their platforms.
Lee said his confidence in the pair stems from their past successes. Allen and Jason were also student body president and vice president of Baton Rouge Magnet High School during their time there.
Kathleen and Bud Richey are equally excited about their son’s new position.
“Allen continues to impress and amaze me every day,” Bud said.
During separate years, Kathleen was president at Louisiana Tech and Bud served as vice president.
These former student leaders and now proud parents were pleasantly surprised by the election results, Bud said.
Kathleen said the number of students working together to achieve the goals outlined during Allen and Jason’s campaign impresses her and gives her great confidence that they can accomplish everything.
Both mothers reminded their sons they are still students and will now have to work even harder to maintain their high GPAs.
Kathleen said she has made a bet with her son about his GPA. If Allen maintains a 3.64, then she owes him $500; but if Allen does not, his wallet will be emptied. Although she would love to win the bet, Kathleen is confident Allen can maintain a good balance next year.
Despite the mothers’ persistent reminders, neither of them is worried about their sons’ abilities to excel in leadership and in academics during their year in office.