This week Gustavus Adolphus College had its annual Co-Presidential Election. A mass email was sent out to the entire student body in order to vote for the candidates they believed were most fit for the job. The two pairs of candidates were Hubert Ngabirano and Solveig Svendsen who ran against Oakley Clark and Henry Adebisi. Throughout this week, these two campaigns were working hard to spread their message through their platforms. A vital part of this was tabling outside the cafeteria.

Finally, when the election day arrived on Feb. 26, it was only a matter of time before the winners would be determined. Another mass email was sent out shortly after declaring Ngabirano and Svendsen the winners, and thus they will be the Student Senate Co-Presidents for the 2017-2018 school year.

According to Ombudsperson, Joe Robbins, this election was “the closest one I’ve seen by far. We also had a very good turnout, I love to see people be so passionate about student government!”

Many students seized the opportunity to vote for those who represented their views. Every last vote counted, as Ngabirano and Svendsen won by a margin of just three votes. Those that voted participated in a decision that could have an everlasting impact on the future of the college.

“This year’s election went really well!” Co-President Herchran Singh said. “There was great interest from the student body evidenced by the number of voters and attendance at the debate, indicating a significant interest in the candidates and their platforms. I personally witnessed both pairs working on their campaigns, which definitely showed that they would be dedicated to their positions as Co-Presidents.”

Regardless of the result, there was overwhelming concern among students at Gustavus on who they wanted to be Co-President. They understood this is an important role, and took the initiative to learn more about the candidates. It showed the community yearns to be informed about the school in order for it to be a better place. They have the passion to make and be a part of change.

The current Co-Presidents gave their opinion on this year’s candidates and how they may affect the future of the college. “[Svendson and Ngabirano] build a genuine interest within the student body about what senate is doing. Having the privilege of knowing both of them personally, I know that they are extremely dedicated to the individual Gustie and will work hard to stand up for each of their constituents next year,” Co-President Alex Shaikoski said.

Ngabirano expressed that he and Svendsen ran a platform which was based on building stronger relationships where everyone’s voice could be heard when having strong, honest, and vulnerable conversations in a respectful manner. “This will take all Gusties and not just the two of us or the body of Senate. We want to start by strengthening social connections between student leaders across the campus and then involve them in facilitating these discussions, along with the faculty, the staff and the administration,” Ngabirano said.