I am sure you have repeatedly heard around campus that our Union is “a student-run” organization. Yet it seems that the majority of students on campus do not comprehend the true opportunity this provides to our campus. Most institutes of higher learning sponsor student clubs and organizations and have a process by which students act as advisors in the implementation of these programs. RPI takes that process several magnitudes further by allowing twelve students—known as the Union Executive Board—to completely oversee the financial and programming processes of all student clubs and organizations and varsity, club, and intramural athletics and student physical facilities. Yes, we have a tremendous group of professional staff who help facilitate the operations of the Union, but it is the students who are ultimately responsible for the entire $8.1 million budget. In the past, the Executive Board has remained mysterious to the rest of campus and I strongly feel that has created misunderstandings. We are twelve students just like you. We come from similar backgrounds, similar majors, your class year, and love the same things you do and share your beliefs. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to your peers who are serving on the 2006-07 Executive Board.
Erik Swanson is a junior and brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon who grew up in Wheaton, Ill. Serving as the vice-chair of the Executive Board, Erik is my right hand man. Erik returns this year having served on two previous Executive Boards.
Donald Pendagast III is a senior and brother of Lambda Chi Alpha. Donald is the Class of 2007 representative to the Executive Board. In the past, Donald has served on the Student Senate, as well as chaired the Senate’s Student Life Committee. He has also worked with Red and White, Institute Advancement, Rensselaer at Hartford, and currently sings with the Rensselyrics.
Abderrahmane Benghanem is a junior in biomedical engineering and serves as the Class of 2008 representative to this year’s E-Board. Abder works with a tremendous number of organizations on campus and contributes a unique perspective among board members. Some of these organizations include The Polytechnic, Community Advocates, the Class of 2008 Class Council, MSA, NSBE, Ecologic, and Engineers for a Sustainable World.
Jeff Teixeira is a sophomore biology major. Jeff is serving as the Class of 2009 representative. Jeff served in the same position last year and proved to be one of our hardest working and diligent members.
Jennifer Scholwin is a senior studying applied physics and biology. Jen is serving her second year on the Executive Board and is our first of three club and intercollegiate athletics (Club ICA) representatives. Jen also currently serves as the vice president of Capoeira, rock wall leader of the Outing Club, and the resident director for WNDS.
Amy Moise is a sophomore in product design and innovation. She is also serving as a Club ICA representative. During her first year on campus, Amy served as a Student Senator, a member of the swim team, part of the women’s mentoring program, a member of the Rensselaer Orchestra, and a volunteer with the Troy Boys and Girls Club for Lego Mindstorms Robotics.
Richard Mooney is a sophomore from Cape Cod studying aeronautical engineering. In addition to serving in Navy ROTC, Rich is a brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He is currently serving as our third and final Club ICA representative to the Executive Board.
Priya Bakhru is a senior studying biomedical engineering. Priya Bakhru is currently serving as the Executive Board Secretary and awaiting confirmation by the yet-to-be formed Undergraduate Council. Priya has been tremendously busy during her years at RPI and has served in NSBE, SHPE, SWE, and Women in Engineering. Priya has also served as an officer of the Dance Club and as a section editor of The Polytechnic.
Last but not least, Nick Wood is a senior in Civil Engineering. Nick Wood returns to the Board for his second year as the Senate/E-Board Liaison, meaning that he is the primary conduit of information between the two bodies. By nature of his position, Nick is an officer of the Student Senate and serves as chair of the Senate’s Activity Fee Subcommitttee. Nick is also actively involved in RPI TV and ASCE.
You may have noticed that even though I said the Board has twelve members, including myself, I have only introduced nine to you here. This is because we still have unfilled spots. If you are a member of the Class of 2010 or a Graduate student and you would like to join the Executive Board, please let me know (pu@rpi.edu). If you’d like to get involved with the Union in other ways, we have a number of exciting projects within our committees and I’d be happy to help find the right one for you.
