A crowd of University faculty members and students gathered in front of the Memorial Tower Wednesday evening for the inauguration of Student Government’s president-elect Brad Golson and vice president-elect Jenny Byrd.
The inauguration ceremony started a little after 2 p.m., as the prominent leaders of the University community walked to the center of the Memorial Tower’s steps in a single line.
Golson and Byrd took an oath to uphold the SG constitution and said they would work for the students.
Jesse Gomez, SG’s director of special projects, began the ceremony with a prayer.
“It is my honor to welcome you to the first day of the Golson/Byrd administration,” Allen Richey said as he stood before the podium dressed in a black suit with a yellow and black-dotted tie.
Chancellor Mark Emmert addressed the crowd after Richey’s speech.
He said the University’s administration relies on the leaders of SG.
“The quality of student leaders here at LSU are as fine as you will get anywhere,” Emmert said.
He also addressed Richey and Wesley, telling them it was a delight to work with them and saluted them for a having a “fine year.”
While he had the opportunity to enjoy working with Richey and Wesley, Emmert said his only disappointment is that he will only have a few months to work with Golson and Byrd.
After Emmert’s speech, Cynthia May swore Golson and Byrd in as SG president and vice president, and the audience applauded.
After being sworn in, Byrd, who was dressed in an all black suit and a matching black shirt with a white floral pattern, said it is necessary for them to be committed to working for students.
She said she and Golson are in the process of developing an outreach department for the executive branch.
The department’s members will attend the meetings of student organizations and listen to what is going on in the campus community, she said. Golson and Byrd also selected the nominees for their executive staff Tuesday night.
Byrd said it is possible to live up to the issues on their platform.
“We couldn’t do what’s necessary and possible without getting elected,” she said.
Then, she finished by thanking the members of “the new balance” ticket, her family and Richey and Wesley.
“Allen and Jason, I can’t tell you how much I have learned from you this year,” she said.
Golson’s presidential address followed his vice president’s speech.
“As I stand here this afternoon, I can see many opportunities,” he said.
Golson said they are dedicated to replacing the old with the new, and they refuse to accept injustices.
Like Byrd, he thanked Richey and Wesley for serving the University and laying an “incredible foundation” for students and SG.
“I don’t know if we ever thought this day would come,” Golson said to Byrd.
But, it has, and they are ready to start, he said.
Golson’s speech held more of a dramatic note, as he told the story of Rosa Parks, a civil rights activist, and how the actions of one woman changed so much for so many people. He challenged the University’s students to be like Parks.
Students should realize this is their University, he said. They should have a voice.
“Be that catalyst,” Golson said. “To be that voice is to stand up and make a difference.”
He finished by saying he was proud to stand as the University’s 2004-05 SG president.
The ceremony finished with Randy Gurie, director of University Special Events, singing the University’s alma mater.
The audience stood and sung in soft unison with him. Then there were refreshments and Golson and Byrd posed for their first picture as SG president and vice president.