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I’d like to speak to the next generation of University of Maine students. Abtin Mehdizadegan’s removal as vice president of student entertainment marks the end of a golden era of Student Government, which featured the best group of leaders to have ever walked this campus. We saw a string of some of the best SG presidents to take the oath, including Priyanth Chandresekar, Steven Moran and James Lyons; and witnessed one of the finest cabinets in SG history in Mehdizadegan, Ross Wolland, Justin Labonte and Samantha Shulman. Although some remain in their positions, the inevitability of graduation in May will put a sunset to their terms.
We also witnessed great change to Student Government. For the first time in the organization’s history, a president resigned from office because he would have been recalled had a vote taken place. As a senator at the time, I can tell you that this executive session may have been the most heated and emotional debate to have ever taken place behind closed SG doors. It was also in this golden era that the SG structure was fundamentally changed to replace the antiquated college-based apportionment system with Wolland’s more contemporarily purposeful “at-large” system; which is the true legacy of this generation.
As we leave this campus and move on to bigger and hopefully better things, remember that Student Government’s purpose, if anything, is to make our lives a little better while we’re here. The VPSE has arguably the most difficult responsibility, providing students with great entertainment to enjoy their time in college, some of which could be once in a lifetime opportunities. I mean, how many times will you get the chance to see Bob Saget? That will most likely be once for me, and I’m thankful because I laughed harder than I have in a year. I want to thank Abtin for his time and devotion to this office that I know he unwaveringly worked all through college to obtain. I wish his successor luck because you have some big shoes to fill.
I can confidently say that my on-campus life has been drastically improved because of the decisions made by the leaders in this SG golden era. Thank you for your honest devotion to your work and putting students’ needs ahead of your own. As the next generation comes into office, I urge you to not only live up to the expectations set by this generation but to surpass them in new and innovative ways to make life even better for students as they spend pivotal years of their lives on this campus. Good luck.
— Chris Harmon, former SG senator
Bangor Daily News