Other Candidates
President
Jamie Thorpe
Hometown: Kingwood, TX
Current Class: Junior
Department: Chemical Engineering
Campus Activities: ASCSM (2006 – present), Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity (Currently re-starting a chapter at CSM), McBride Honors Program (2006 – present), Sigma Kappa Sorority (2007 – present), SWE (2006 – present), AIChE (2007 – present)
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for ASCSM President because I want to deliver to the student body the accountability it deserves. As students, we are the customers of this school, and we must demand that our voices are heard by the faculty, staff, and administration. I will strive to establish a strong working relationship with these parties to ensure that this will happen.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
During my freshman and sophomore years, I served as ASCSM class treasurer. I was then appointed ASCSM Treasurer for the 2008-09 year, during which I have worked diligently building relationships with many student organizations. I also serve as a class representative for McBride, reconciling conflicts between my peers and the administration. Additionally, I serve as President of Theta Tau, an organization we are striving to renew at Mines after an approximately 30 year hiatus.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
I have worked diligently since coming to Mines to represent my classmates through my various leadership positions by promoting honesty, ethics, and transparency in government. I am the best candidate for the position because I am the only candidate who has served on the Executive Council of ASCSM. This gives me greater insight into the role that the president plays, and more experience in dealing with issues that the Executive Council handles.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
In the upcoming year, I want to see ASCSM develop a stronger relationship with both the campus and the community. In order to do this, accountability to the students must be our foremost priority. The student government exists to serve the needs of the students, from parking tickets to grading systems. My goal is that the students at-large will guide the course of their governing body and experience the purest form of democracy possible.
Brian Pal
Hometown: Lopez Island, WA
Current Class: Junior
Department: Engineering, Mechanical Specialty
Campus Activities: Cycling Club, Libertarian Club
Why are you running for this position?
I believe that ASCSM’s role should be expanded to take a much more active role in working with campus organizations that may frustrate students on a daily basis. Public safety, Aramark, and the registrar’s office are just a few examples of organizations that should be changed in order to better serve the students who pay for their services.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
Administrator of the Ran-Duece Facebook group.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
I’m not interested in a popularity contest or another line on my resume. I am going to run a zero-bullshit campaign and if elected I will work to provide changes that will have a real impact on every student at Mines.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the next year?
If elected, I will: Work with public safety to create an accountability system in order to improve relations between officers and students; work with student life to revamp or replace the Aramark contract when it comes up for renewal in 2010; work with the registrar’s office to improve and streamline operations; expand ASCSM’s role to include voting seats on every board on campus.
Lisa Truong
Hometown: Grand Junction, CO
Current class: Sophomore
Department: Engineering, Civil Specialty
Why are you running for this position?
Over the past year, I have seen first-hand how critical student government can be in shaping policies at the Colorado School of Mines. I look forward to representing the student body to the faculty, institution, and community in every facet. I will strive to constantly seek what is best for students. My experience on ASCSM has inspired me to continue working for my peers and keeping my classmates informed and included in school politics.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
Currently, I have the great privilege of being Sophomore Class President. As president, I have aided in organizing class events, establishing Office Hour Forums, and choosing the Class of 2011 t-shirt. Furthermore, I have listened to my peers during the plus/minus grading system debate, opened lines of communication between the Class of 2011 & the Sophomore Officers, and co-authored ASCSM resolutions. Additionally, I am the secretary for PASES and AGC, and a representative for McBride.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
ASCSM has become a high priority for me due to the issues that I have encountered over the past two years. Recently, I have worked intimately on many issues concerning my peers, including co-authoring an ASCSM resolutions to increase the student representatives at Faculty Senate. I feel that with my experience in ASCSM, my varied campus involvement, and my dedication to the student body, I am highly-qualified to serve ASCSM as president.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
Student government was created to represent the student body. In the upcoming year, I hope to increase student interaction with ASCSM. By improving dialogue, I hope to tackle issues that concern all students. Some of these matters include concerns with public safety, improving transportation options, and keeping students at the forefront of capital construction. No topic is too big or too small for ASCSM.
Vice President
Ashley Young
Hometown: Loveland, CO
Current Class: Junior
Department: Chemical Engineering
Campus Activities: Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Band, Blue Key, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Kappa Kappa Psi (Honorary Band Organization), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Student Ambassador, McBride Honors Program
Why are you running for this position?
It is my inherent belief that by serving as Student Body Vice President, I can affect change on the Mines campus. It was Mahatma Gandhi who once said that “you must be the change you want to see in the world.” I want to rise to that challenge by listening to and representing the students’ views—your views—in a responsible, ethical, and honest manner.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
Currently I serve as Recording Secretary and Activities Chair for Tau Beta Pi, Service/Newsletter Officer for AIChE, and Secretary for Kappa Kappa Psi. I am also a leader in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and am a section leader in Band.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
It would be an honor and privilege to serve as your Vice President. A consistent attendee and frequent public forum speaker at ASCSM meetings, I have a solid understanding of ASCSM’s practical functions. More importantly, I am dedicated to increasing student body participation in ASCSM to ensure all students’ voices the opportunity to be heard.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
ASCSM should work to improve communication between itself and the student body by publishing surveys and hosting more events to collect feedback from concerned students. Campus parking tickets can and should be decreased by working with Public Safety to develop updated campus parking signs and easy-to-read maps. In conjunction with Student Activities and other fee-collecting entities on campus, ASCSM should work to publish a comprehensive brochure detailing how each student fee is used every year.
John Bristow
Hometown: Golden, CO
Current class: Sophomore
Department: Geological Engineering
Campus activities: Geological Engineering, ASCSM, Phi Gamma Delta, Geology Museum
Why are you running for this position?
I have spent the last two years as a class representative and I feel that I have gained the responsibility to move up and not only help my class but the student body as a whole.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
I currently work as a veteran student aide at the geology museum. In my fraternity, I have helped out with the social activities recently.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
I feel that I have a unique dedication to the students of the Colorado School of Mines and I know if I were to fill this position that I would continue my role of trying to get the student’s voices heard not only in the school but in the Golden community.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
I would love to see ASCSM address the parking and safety issues on campus and help direct public safety in a way that makes the students more comfortable with them.
Board of Trustees Representative
Damian Illing
Hometown: Broomfield, CO
Current Class: Junior/Senior
Department: Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (B.S.), Economics and Business (M.S. in ETM)
Campus Activities: ASCSM Senior Class Representative, Tau Beta Pi, Blue Key, McBride, Pre-Med Society, Men’s Lacrosse
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for this position because I understand how important open, effective, and consistent lines of communication are between ASCSM and the school’s administration. I want to personally ensure that these lines of communication remain open and the relationship between ASCSM and the Board of Trustees remains strong. My experience in ASCSM will make me a great intermediary between the student body and the Board of Trustees, and a strong voice for the students, guaranteeing that the needs of the student body are heard during board meetings.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
Over the past year, I have served as an ASCSM senior class representative. My duties have included participating in ASCSM meetings, organizing class events, and preparing for Senior Bus. For the past three and a half years, I have also served as a class of 2009 McBride Student Representative. In this position I have been the intermediary between the McBride administration and my classmates, have helped reorganize the freshman schedule, and have started a freshman-senior mentoring program.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
My experiences in ASCSM, McBride, and other organizations have given me the opportunity to understand how to work with many different groups of people, and have made me an effective liaison between several different bodies. My involvement in a variety of groups across campus will allow me to ensure the student body’s collective voice is heard. I would be a strong voice for the student body on the Board of Trustees, and would ensure that the student’s needs are heard.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
I believe that one of the most important things ASCSM should strive for in the upcoming year is to further improve the avenues of communication, not just between ASCSM and the school’s administration, but, more importantly, between the administration and the student body as a whole. Additionally, I would like to see the implementation of new, beneficial applications for the intermodal transportation fee and the capital construction fee.
| At Large Community | At Large Faculty | At Large University |
| Sharif Jawad | Rambert Nahm | Alec Westerman |
| Senior Class President | Senior Class Treasurer | Senior Class Senator |
| Sara Post | No Candidates | Keith Roman Marilou Canon |
| Junior Class President | Junior Class Treasurer | Junior Class Senator |
| Keith Stevens Ben Seling |
Ian Littman Nathan Jorgensen |
Justin Tappan Daniel Haughey |
| Sophomore President | Sophomore Treasurer | Sophomore Senator |
| Josh Dickerson | Zach Boerner | Mona Finchum Russell Quick |
President
Jamie Thorpe Hometown: Kingwood, TX
Current Class: Junior
Department: Chemical Engineering
Campus Activities: ASCSM (2006 – present), Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity (Currently re-starting a chapter at CSM), McBride Honors Program (2006 – present), Sigma Kappa Sorority (2007 – present), SWE (2006 – present), AIChE (2007 – present)
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for ASCSM President because I want to deliver to the student body the accountability it deserves. As students, we are the customers of this school, and we must demand that our voices are heard by the faculty, staff, and administration. I will strive to establish a strong working relationship with these parties to ensure that this will happen.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
During my freshman and sophomore years, I served as ASCSM class treasurer. I was then appointed ASCSM Treasurer for the 2008-09 year, during which I have worked diligently building relationships with many student organizations. I also serve as a class representative for McBride, reconciling conflicts between my peers and the administration. Additionally, I serve as President of Theta Tau, an organization we are striving to renew at Mines after an approximately 30 year hiatus.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
I have worked diligently since coming to Mines to represent my classmates through my various leadership positions by promoting honesty, ethics, and transparency in government. I am the best candidate for the position because I am the only candidate who has served on the Executive Council of ASCSM. This gives me greater insight into the role that the president plays, and more experience in dealing with issues that the Executive Council handles.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
In the upcoming year, I want to see ASCSM develop a stronger relationship with both the campus and the community. In order to do this, accountability to the students must be our foremost priority. The student government exists to serve the needs of the students, from parking tickets to grading systems. My goal is that the students at-large will guide the course of their governing body and experience the purest form of democracy possible.
Brian PalHometown: Lopez Island, WA
Current Class: Junior
Department: Engineering, Mechanical Specialty
Campus Activities: Cycling Club, Libertarian Club
Why are you running for this position?
I believe that ASCSM’s role should be expanded to take a much more active role in working with campus organizations that may frustrate students on a daily basis. Public safety, Aramark, and the registrar’s office are just a few examples of organizations that should be changed in order to better serve the students who pay for their services.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
Administrator of the Ran-Duece Facebook group.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
I’m not interested in a popularity contest or another line on my resume. I am going to run a zero-bullshit campaign and if elected I will work to provide changes that will have a real impact on every student at Mines.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the next year?
If elected, I will: Work with public safety to create an accountability system in order to improve relations between officers and students; work with student life to revamp or replace the Aramark contract when it comes up for renewal in 2010; work with the registrar’s office to improve and streamline operations; expand ASCSM’s role to include voting seats on every board on campus.
Lisa Truong Hometown: Grand Junction, CO
Current class: Sophomore
Department: Engineering, Civil Specialty
Why are you running for this position?
Over the past year, I have seen first-hand how critical student government can be in shaping policies at the Colorado School of Mines. I look forward to representing the student body to the faculty, institution, and community in every facet. I will strive to constantly seek what is best for students. My experience on ASCSM has inspired me to continue working for my peers and keeping my classmates informed and included in school politics.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
Currently, I have the great privilege of being Sophomore Class President. As president, I have aided in organizing class events, establishing Office Hour Forums, and choosing the Class of 2011 t-shirt. Furthermore, I have listened to my peers during the plus/minus grading system debate, opened lines of communication between the Class of 2011 & the Sophomore Officers, and co-authored ASCSM resolutions. Additionally, I am the secretary for PASES and AGC, and a representative for McBride.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
ASCSM has become a high priority for me due to the issues that I have encountered over the past two years. Recently, I have worked intimately on many issues concerning my peers, including co-authoring an ASCSM resolutions to increase the student representatives at Faculty Senate. I feel that with my experience in ASCSM, my varied campus involvement, and my dedication to the student body, I am highly-qualified to serve ASCSM as president.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
Student government was created to represent the student body. In the upcoming year, I hope to increase student interaction with ASCSM. By improving dialogue, I hope to tackle issues that concern all students. Some of these matters include concerns with public safety, improving transportation options, and keeping students at the forefront of capital construction. No topic is too big or too small for ASCSM.
Vice President
Ashley Young Hometown: Loveland, CO
Current Class: Junior
Department: Chemical Engineering
Campus Activities: Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Band, Blue Key, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Kappa Kappa Psi (Honorary Band Organization), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Student Ambassador, McBride Honors Program
Why are you running for this position?
It is my inherent belief that by serving as Student Body Vice President, I can affect change on the Mines campus. It was Mahatma Gandhi who once said that “you must be the change you want to see in the world.” I want to rise to that challenge by listening to and representing the students’ views—your views—in a responsible, ethical, and honest manner.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
Currently I serve as Recording Secretary and Activities Chair for Tau Beta Pi, Service/Newsletter Officer for AIChE, and Secretary for Kappa Kappa Psi. I am also a leader in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and am a section leader in Band.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
It would be an honor and privilege to serve as your Vice President. A consistent attendee and frequent public forum speaker at ASCSM meetings, I have a solid understanding of ASCSM’s practical functions. More importantly, I am dedicated to increasing student body participation in ASCSM to ensure all students’ voices the opportunity to be heard.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
ASCSM should work to improve communication between itself and the student body by publishing surveys and hosting more events to collect feedback from concerned students. Campus parking tickets can and should be decreased by working with Public Safety to develop updated campus parking signs and easy-to-read maps. In conjunction with Student Activities and other fee-collecting entities on campus, ASCSM should work to publish a comprehensive brochure detailing how each student fee is used every year.
John Bristow Hometown: Golden, CO
Current class: Sophomore
Department: Geological Engineering
Campus activities: Geological Engineering, ASCSM, Phi Gamma Delta, Geology Museum
Why are you running for this position?
I have spent the last two years as a class representative and I feel that I have gained the responsibility to move up and not only help my class but the student body as a whole.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
I currently work as a veteran student aide at the geology museum. In my fraternity, I have helped out with the social activities recently.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
I feel that I have a unique dedication to the students of the Colorado School of Mines and I know if I were to fill this position that I would continue my role of trying to get the student’s voices heard not only in the school but in the Golden community.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
I would love to see ASCSM address the parking and safety issues on campus and help direct public safety in a way that makes the students more comfortable with them.
Board of Trustees Representative
Damian Illing Hometown: Broomfield, CO
Current Class: Junior/Senior
Department: Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (B.S.), Economics and Business (M.S. in ETM)
Campus Activities: ASCSM Senior Class Representative, Tau Beta Pi, Blue Key, McBride, Pre-Med Society, Men’s Lacrosse
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for this position because I understand how important open, effective, and consistent lines of communication are between ASCSM and the school’s administration. I want to personally ensure that these lines of communication remain open and the relationship between ASCSM and the Board of Trustees remains strong. My experience in ASCSM will make me a great intermediary between the student body and the Board of Trustees, and a strong voice for the students, guaranteeing that the needs of the student body are heard during board meetings.
Detail any other offices or positions that you have held on campus.
Over the past year, I have served as an ASCSM senior class representative. My duties have included participating in ASCSM meetings, organizing class events, and preparing for Senior Bus. For the past three and a half years, I have also served as a class of 2009 McBride Student Representative. In this position I have been the intermediary between the McBride administration and my classmates, have helped reorganize the freshman schedule, and have started a freshman-senior mentoring program.
What makes you a standout person for this job?
My experiences in ASCSM, McBride, and other organizations have given me the opportunity to understand how to work with many different groups of people, and have made me an effective liaison between several different bodies. My involvement in a variety of groups across campus will allow me to ensure the student body’s collective voice is heard. I would be a strong voice for the student body on the Board of Trustees, and would ensure that the student’s needs are heard.
What would you like to see ASCSM accomplish in the upcoming year?
I believe that one of the most important things ASCSM should strive for in the upcoming year is to further improve the avenues of communication, not just between ASCSM and the school’s administration, but, more importantly, between the administration and the student body as a whole. Additionally, I would like to see the implementation of new, beneficial applications for the intermodal transportation fee and the capital construction fee.
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