As journalists, it is our job to cover stories and, most importantly, the people behind them.
For the past year, one of the most influential people in many of the stories covered by yours truly has been Allen Richey, the now-former Student Government president.
There is no question that he and VP Jason Wesley have made LSU a better place not only to attend class, but also to call home.
There is a side of Allen and Jason that most people don’t get the privilage of seeing. First of all, despite being best friends and administration partners since their days at Baton Rouge High, the two are very different. They claim that it is their differences that have contributed so heavily to their success.
“It’s a case of iron sharpening iron,” Jason said. “We usually reach a consensus rather than a compromise.”
That is just an example of some of things normal students never see, from the personable, caring individuals who spent countless hours not only making LSU a better place, but also putting their fellow students above their own personal scholastic careers.
It was truly my pleasure to sit down and have a few be… I mean sodas, with these guys at a local eatery last night.
Besides having a little fun and relaxing, we found time to conduct what could be their last interview with the Reveille. Here’s how the story goes:
Me: So now that you guys actually have some free time on your hands, what do y’all plan on doing (besides hanging out and drinking a few beers, of course)?
Allen: As nerdy as it sounds, I’m looking forward to actually being able to attend all my classes, graduating (in May) and finishing my thesis. I never said I wasn’t a nerd at heart, though.
Jason: I have a little time left (Jason is graduating May ’05), so I’ll keep working at Tabby’s and possibly run for a seat on the Baton Rouge Metro Council.
Me: That sounds interesting, what exactly do you plan to do if you are elected?
Jason: Well, I’ve always been involved with Baton Rouge and LSU, so I would like to be involved with the development of downtown and to see LSU have more of a say in the development of B.R. The Metro Council always says that they are interested in creating a “New Baton Rouge” that will attract young, intelligent minds. They, however, are out of touch oftentimes because there are no young people on the council. What a better voice for recent and future grads than one of them. If we (young graduates) don’t have a voice, than many of our concerns will continue to be ignored.
Me: So Allen, no political ambitions in front of you at this point?
Allen: No, right now I’m going to be focused on grad school.
Me: What are you going to grad school for, anyway.
Allen:Good question (pause)….
Me: Do you guys see yourselves staying in Baton Rouge after school?
Jason: I always see myself ending up here again one day — even if I leave, I’ll be back.
Allen: Well, I will probably leave for grad school, but I will always call Baton Rouge home and look forward to coming back soon. The people in Baton Rouge are all the reason I need to return.
Me: What will you guys miss most about Student Government and about LSU?
Allen: The power! Just kidding, I’ll miss everything about SG, helping make life better for everyone on this campus. LSU, sitting in the quad and watching the people pass by. Enjoying the beauty of our campus, and of course, “Chinese Bandits” in Death Valley on Saturday nights.
Jason: I’d have to say probably a lot of the same things.
Me: It’s been said that hindsight is 20/20 — what would would you say was the biggest mistake of your administration, and what would you change?
Allen: The Union fee was something that could have been handled differently. We left a lot of things unfinished in that department. That, and I would have been open to more criticism from my staff. They were as much a part of the administration as I was, and they had some good ideas that I wish would have been voiced more.
Me: What will be Brad Golson’s biggest challenge as the next SG President?
Allen and Jason: Picking the new chancellor. They have to voice the student concerns and make sure that we pick the right person.
Me: OK, let’s finish this interview so we can continue our night — where do you guys see yourselves in 10 years, and what kind of legacy do y’all hope to leave?
Jason: I see myself finishing law school and continuing to fight for LSU students and the city of Baton Rouge. I hope that people will remember us working hard and fighting for everyone on campus — international students to fraternities — and doing our best to meet the students’ needs.
Allen: On a fishing boat… that and fighting for world peace and making Louisiana a better place to live. As far as legacy goes, I hope that I set a precedent that SG should work to make students’ lives better every day by doing the little things that makes LSU the best place in the world for four (or in you and Jason’s case) five or six years of every student’s life.