Junior Bethany Letellier, Elementary Education major and Senior Ashley Gillett, Secondary Education major receive a high five from President Shonrock after the General Assembly on Monday afternoon in Webb Hall. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin
Complete with the Emporia State Marching Hornets, cheerleaders and Corky himself, the Fall 2012 general assembly set the stage for a new year at ESU. The assembly was held on Monday in Webb Hall and featured seven speakers, including Bobbi Mlynar, mayor of Emporia, and Brooke Schmidt, newly elected president of the Associated Student Government. President Michael Shonrock also spoke at the assembly, highlighting recent successes and future plans for the university.
“Always look to the horizon,” Shonrock said during his remarks at the assembly. “For Emporia State University, we need to continue to focus on our future and to look at our horizon because this is a very bright future for this institution. And that’s something I think each and every one of us needs to embrace.”
Gwen Alexander, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, introduced new faculty and staff at the assembly. Twenty-nine new employees were introduced, including a brand new Corky.
Emporia’s mayor, Bobbi Mlynar delivered the first speech following the band’s performance of ESU’s fight song.
“One thing that we’ve noticed here is what all you (students) contribute to our community, and it’s not just the recreation…and heaven knows we support all the athletic teams and that does give us good entertainment, but what you do for us is come out into the community,” said Mlynar.
Mlynas cited students from the university who helped out with various community service projects, such as athletes visiting various Emporia schools, as one example.
Kevin Rabas, president of Faculty Senate and associate professor and co-director of the creative writing program, introduced the nominees for vice president of faculty – Cynthia Akers, professor of Libraries and Archives, and Majula Shinge, associate professor of English.
Schmidt spoke to the assembly about ASG’s plans for the upcoming year.
“Associated Student Government is going to work side-by-side with administration to really pump up campus community and support. I want every member of our campus to be proud to hold their stingers high,” Schmidt said.
Among the events planned for the coming semester are the annual “Can the Bods” and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Dash. The Dirt Dash will be held at an obstacle course at Camp Alexander on Sept. 22.