Inside…
A New Leader Takes the Reigns
A chat with SGA President Jeffrey Eugene
By Sydnee Mack
SGA President, Jeffrey Eugene, is a senior biology major from Savannah, Ga. and an aspiring doctor. He is a four-year member of the Student Government Association, as well as the Hampton University Honors College. Now, after a whole semester of taking on his new role as SGA President, Jeffrey Eugene finally had the time to reflect on his experiences in office thus far.
Q: How did you get your start in SGA?
A: I decided to join the student government because I love people. I love interacting with them and helping them. I thought that the SGA would be the perfect platform to do that. I started out in SGA my freshman year as a member of the Men’s Caucus. By 2nd semester of that same year, I had become chair of health initiatives. Because I am a biology major with ambitions of going to medical school, this particular position was really close to my heart. The next two years I served as chair for Men’s Caucus. This position really helped me to prepare for my role as president. It gave me the opportunity to lead on my own without the help of a committee. As a result, by my senior year I was ready to run for an office.
Q: How did you feel when you were awarded the role of SGA president?
A: I was excited about the position and more than willing to accept it. I originally ran for vice president for the 2010-2011 school year and was excited to work with people that I had grown closer to over the years. I never really imagined that I would be the president of the SGA.
However, at the beginning of the school year my predecessor, Ashley Bayton, accepted an internship out of state that required her to be away from school for a semester. In her absence, it was my job as vice president to step up and take over her role as president. Although I did not come into the position by way of formal election, I felt like I was meant to play this part. The ball was in my court and I was ready to play.
Q: What do you bring to the role of president?
I think that I bring my unique personality and personal philosophies to the office. My personal philosophy on SGA is that people just want to have fun. I try to incorporate that philosophy when planning events and also while working with my fellow SGA officers. I think that if people have an idea, they should be allowed the creative space and freedom to be able to run with it.
For example, someone suggested that our SGA banquet have a Mexican theme. A Mexican theme is a little unorthodox for a holiday party, but it sounded fun so we ran with it. The resulting banquet was a huge success. It was a theme that had never been done before and turned out to be a ton of fun.
Q: What have you learned from being president?
A: We all came to HU for one reason or another. We need to take advantage of every opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our crafts. College is a once in a lifetime opportunity that we can never get back. I have learned that you need to enjoy as much of it as you can, to perform as well as you can, and to behave the best that you can so that you do not get put out by 5.
I have learned that you must enjoy your time and make sure that you grow. Grow by participating in clubs, organizations, community service, internships, and fellowships. Hampton University offers all this to us and so much more. It gives us so much to appreciate from a beautiful campus to hoards of bright and talented peers to learn from and to lean on. Hampton is a place of unity and I hope to perpetuate that culture during my tenure as SGA president.
Finally, I have learned to be grateful and I want to thank you all for supporting me and allowing me to serve as your 2010-2011 SGA president.