Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Kansan is hosting a debate between the presidental and vice presidential candidates at 9 tonight in the Kansas Room of the Kansas Union. Students can email questions for the candidates to editor@kansan.com. Please write “DEBATE” in the subject line and include your name, major and year in school.
With Student Senate, Libby Johnson saw results.
From the moment she joined Student Senate as a University of Kansas freshman, she was hooked.
“It was just a ton of really exciting stuff going on and I loved the stuff that we got to make an influence in,” said Johnson, a senior from Lawrence majoring in biology and psychology.
That passion for results continues to motivate her four years later.
Johnson, a brunette, walks into her interview with The Kansan in the Kansas Union wearing knee-high brown boots and jeans.
As soon as she removes her coat, she reveals a red KUnited T-shirt and a KUnited coalition button signifying her allegiance.
Johnson is the presidential candidate for the Student Senate coalition KUnited.
“As student body president I will be able to put things in place that will really make the college experience the best it possibly can be,” Johnson said. “And so far this has been the most memorable experience for me.”
One level up and a day later, clad in a blue hooded sweatshirt and jeans, stood her running mate and vice presidential candidate, Gabe Bliss.
Bliss, a sophomore from Olathe, found a niche within Student Senate last year as a freshman.
“It keeps me really up to date on things going on at the University,“ Bliss said. “And I just want to be a part of something that is bigger than me. Either way I‘m going to be involved.”
The pair hopes to continue the 15-year tradition KUnited has established within Student Senate. It is a tradition they both said consists of accomplishment and getting things done — things like fall break, Saferide and Safebus, wireless Internet and the Ambler Student Recreation Center amongst others.
Growing up in Lawrence as the daughter of University professor of chemistry, Carey Johnson, allowed Libby to witness the University’s evolution and forge a bond that would never be broken, she said.
“I’ve never known anything else but KU,” Johnson said.
After four years of Student Senate involvement and leadership positions in more than 10 organizations and committees, Senate elections are the next plateau.
“I think a lot of people think this is crazy to put this much time and work into something,” said Johnson, who is also a private piano tutor. “But it’s been a goal of mine for many years now. Being involved for the past three years will definitely help me out because I’ve learned about how the University works and I’ve made relationships with students and administrators.”
Although Bliss always wanted to be on the executive staff, he said the nomination for vice president originally came as a shock.
“But I met it with open arms and am now extremely excited for it,” Bliss said. “I like working with people and I’m a helper.”
Bliss said he loved the University and the foundations established. But, he said, there are many areas he would like to improve on.
“Senate has this negative overall perception,” Bliss said. “And there’s been a trend in the past of low voter turnout.”
Low turnout is something he and Johnson want to change. He said he wanted the students to be heard and, as a member of a small professional school, he thought he could bring a voice to the minority groups on campus.
Bliss, a civil engineering student, grew up as the son of a small business owner and stay-at-home mom.
When he graduates in 2013 with a degree, Bliss said he wanted to work with water treatment for developing countries.
But until then, the book and computer savvy Bliss said, regardless of the upcoming election’s results, he was going to be a part of Student Senate.
As for Johnson, she plans to continue her education in the sciences, and after two years in the Peace Corps, intends to attend graduate school, according to KUnited’s website.
Johnson said the experience was one she would never forget, which is what she said college was all about.
“It’s supposed to be the best four to six years of your life,” Johnson said. “And so far this has been the most memorable experience of mine.”
— Edited by Helen Mubarak
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