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James Lyons looked fatherly at his last General Student Senate meeting as student body president. Before the meeting, he sat quietly, reviewing his notes at the head of the table, while student senators sipped on juice boxes and snacked on cookies and crackers.
While senators talked and joked among themselves, Lyons quietly spoke with the new vice president of Student Entertainment, Abtin Mehdizadegan. Dressed in a red tie, blue collared shirt and a blazer to match, Lyons looked more mature than most 20-year-olds.
When he addressed the senate, he spoke quickly and concisely.
Concluding his report, he said, “I’d like to thank you all for your support over the last year, especially the last four months.”
Lyons recently finished his term as student body president after serving for four months. He was one of three presidents since 2007 to receive his position by appointment, not by student body election.
He previously served as vice president under Steven Moran, but when Moran graduated, Lyons finished the term. He officially took the role on Aug. 15.
Lyons served in the student senate since the spring of 2007. He is a third-year student from Yarmouth, double-majoring in biochemistry and political science.
Despite having a black-belt in Hapkido, a Korean martial art, Lyons does not appear intimidating or aggressive. A tall, slim blond who sports glasses and a crisp, clean-cut appearance, he is well-spoken and relaxed.
In his office, he sat comfortably, half-leaning in his black office chair with folded hands.
“I’m looking for other things to experience while I’m in college,” he said. “It would be nice to have more free time.” He joked he now has an extra 35 hours a week to fill.
Now, no longer heading the student body, he plans to keep up with his role in the Forensics Society, stay involved in senate and spend more time with friends.
Lyons said as president, above all, he worked as a facilitator. He mentioned the recent concerts on campus, working with faculty and “just getting people to work together.” He improved the Student Government Web site and pushed for medical amnesty, which allows those who call an ambulance for someone who is extremely intoxicated to be exempted from university punitive measures, if he or she is intoxicated as well.
As vice president, he worked a great deal on the Student Government’s Constitution and Senate Standing Rules. He went through both with a fine-toothed comb, he said.
“That was kind of my passion as VP.”
He said there could have been improvements to his presidential approach.
“I know this is a little cliche, but I wish I knew what I know now,” he said.
With four months as president, he felt his abilities were somewhat limited.
“Looking back, I could have worked more with Student Senate.”
He mentioned he would have liked to reach out to the community more by attending more events and representative board meetings.
“Just show up and support them,” he said.
Lyons spent his summer interning in Washington, D.C., for the Minority Staff of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He sees himself as a “pretty normal student.”
“When I wake up in the morning, I go to the same exact classes they [the student body] go to.”
Lyons said his career in senate and as an executive has benefited both him and the campus. He credits both jobs for giving him knowledge about management and leadership.
“You have the opportunity to bring about change,” he said of being in senate.
In both the senate meeting and in the interview, Lyons assured students that the campus can expect “a lot of great things” from Owen McCarthy and Ross Wolland, the newly-inaugurated president and vice president for next term.
“I think it’s going to be a good administration.”
