Associated Student Government had a large agenda last Thursday in its sixth meeting of the semester that included the appointment of Sen. Jennifer Cheray, sophomore business marketing major, the passing of SR 09002, a resolution in remembrance of Samuel Jacob Williams and the discussions of various bills, many to re-recognize student organizations that had been previously rescinded.

While some of organizations that wanted to be recognized were new to campus, others wished to be re-recognized after their rescission earlier this year.

“We have noticed that there are a few RSOs that are going to continue their status by being re-recognized,” said Jonathan Krueger, senior political science major and ASG president. “I’m not sure what percentage of organizations that we rescinded have applied for re-recognition, a lot of those groups are actually new.”

Krueger said that it is typical for some groups to apply for  re-recognition after a rescission bill.

“If there is a recension bill, there’s always going to be a couple groups that didn’t realize what was happening,” Krueger said. “So obviously we want to be there to help them get back on their feet.”

While the recent number of recognition bills seems high, Krueger said it is fairly normal and that ASG expected some of those to be bills for re-recognition.

“To some extent, I think we expect at least one or two that would like to continue or someone else would like to pick them up,” Krueger said. “Some of the groups we rescinded hadn’t been active in several years. We’re seeing that some people who would like to see them back on campus are new students.”

Bills that were introduced at this meeting for recognition will be moved to general order for a vote at their next meeting and concern Sigma Gamma Rho, ESU Ultimate, the Rehabilitation Club and the ESU Recreation Club.

Composed earlier that day, SR 09002 was moved to general order so that it would be passed and could then be presented later that evening at the Candle Light Vigil, which was held in memory of Williams, who was found dead on Wednesday evening.

“ASG commemorates the memory of Samuel Jacob Williams and extends deepest sympathies to his family, friends, teammates, and coaches,” said Sen. Anna Altwies, senior secondary education major, as she read the resolution to the Senate.

Krueger said that ASG presented the resolution at the vigil because it was the “fitting thing to do.”

“Sam was a wonderful person, I don’t think that there were enough kind words that we could have put in there to describe him,” Krueger said. “We felt that we had an opportunity to take a moment to recognize his contribution to the school athletically, as a student and as a person.”

While this resolution was in memory of a student, Krueger said that a resolution can serve a variety of purposes.

“Typically we pass a resolution in support of a cause or in response to some action that we would like to see taken,” Krueger said. “We could use a resolution to show our support for a group, an individual a policy, something of that sort, as well as to show opposition.”

Unlike a bill, a resolution is passed by unanimous consent, or without a hand vote.

“When we do resolutions, we always like to pass them by unanimous consent,” said Whitney McGinnis, ASG graduate assistant. “Since this is in honor of the memory of somebody, we would just like to show our unified support.”

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A glow rose from Welch Stadium at Emporia Sate as students gathered last night at a candlelight vigil in memory of junior business marketing major Samuel Williams. Williams was found dead on Wednesday as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Over 150 students came to the candlelight vigil held for Williams last night. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

His former track coach, John David Harris, said that the autopsy report showed no evidence of alcohol or drug use.

As an All-American track athlete with a personal best time of 20.99 seconds for 200 meters, Williams undoubtedly contributed to the team, but his teammates said his talent surpassed athletic ability.

“The guy was a world class athlete, I had no doubt in my mind that he would have been in the Olympics one day if he wanted to, he had that kind of talent,” said Kent Lonberger, junior communication major and member of the track team. “But he was also a great teammate. He led by example, and had very few words, but when he spoke, he meant it and you could always get a good laugh out of Sam.”

A starting block was set up on the track in memory of Williams. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

Harris recalled an example of Sam’s sportsmanlike attitude.

“Last year after the outdoor championships, it was my last year coaching,” Harris said. “He gave me his All-American award, and he was just very grateful. I was just a provider of workouts and here he is showing me his gratitude.”

Williams was determined and confident in his athletic ability even before he had the support of the coaching staff, which he showed when he first approached Harris.

“The first time he walked into my office, he asked if he could run track,” Harris said. “When you hear somebody say they can run 10.3 seconds in the 100 meter, you kind of laugh it off, but the first time I saw him at practice, he took about three steps and I looked at the other coaches and just smiled.”

Jennifet Baldwin/ The Bulletin

At that same practice, Williams made a first impression on teammate Derwin Hall, sophomore pre-physical therapy major.

“I remember the first time I met Sam, I was actually intimidated,” Hall said. “But once you talk to him, or he cracks a smile, or you get to know his personality, you just see that he’s the sweetest guy.”

Lonberger said that he will remember Williams for his character.

Track coach David Harris stands next to the illuminated finish line during Thursday night's candlelight vigil. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

“Sam had the biggest smile ever, he was a great friend and loyal,” Lonberger said. “He was there for you whenever you needed it. He was just a great guy.”

His personality was one that Lonberger said will not soon be forgotten.

“It’s amazing to me, all of the people that showed up,” Lonberger said. “He was only here two years, but he affected a lot of people and changed a lot of lives. As a team, we are going to do whatever we can to honor him in our lives and on the track.”

Brooke Kent, senior psychology major, said that Williams will remain an inspiration for the team.

“I think everybody on this team is going to miss him,” Kent said. “But I know our team is going to be stronger because of this.”

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Williams

Samuel Williams, junior business management major and member of the ESU track team, was found dead late yesterday afternoon. Williams was thought to be missing and was last seen at 11 a.m. on Sunday at his residence.

Authorities reported in a release that Williams lost control of his motorcycle north of Emporia on K-99 and Lyon County Road 150.  His body was located one tenth of a mile off the roadway.

Williams was an international student from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and was 24 years old.

Don Weast, assistant director of media relations, said Williams was an All-American on the Emporia State track team, running the 60-meter, 200-meter and the 4-by-100 meter relay.

“We’re dealing with this individually and as a team,” said David Harris, head track and field coach. “That’s all that I want to say right now. We will be ready to talk in the morning but we need to deal with this as a team right now.”

His teammates had only good things to say about him.

“He was just a great guy,” said Kenton Lonberger, junior communication major and member of the track team. “He was really loyal and had great values. He stood up for what he believed in and that reflected in every aspect of his life. He was always there as a friend and he was a great guy to be around.”

Williams held several records for ESU including a 4-by-100 meter relay record acquired in May at the NCAA Championships. Lonberger is on the record holding team.

“On the wall downstairs, he has a record in the 60; he has a record in 4 by 1,” Lonberger said. “He was one of the most gifted athletes I’ve ever been around and been a teammate with. The guy had more talent than most people dream about.”

Although he had no family who lived in the U.S., Lonberger said that Williams’ teammates more than made up for that.

“It’s like losing a brother,” he said. “We were so close, all of us. It’s really like losing a family member. We’re struggling now but we’re going to overcome this. He was from France so he didn’t have family here. He had family, but not blood.”

A candlelight vigil for Williams will be held at 8 p.m. tonight in Welch Stadium.

———UPDATE———

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Members of the ESU track team attend the candlelight vigil held in memory of Samuel Williams, an All-American athlete who died in a motorcycle accident earlier this week. Williams was an international student from the Ivory Coast. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

Members of the ESU track team attend the candlelight vigil held in memory of Samuel Williams, an All-American athlete who died in a motorcycle accident earlier this week. Williams was an international student from the Ivory Coast. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

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