By Karen Burmester
Seven new faces took their places as the vice presidents of the Brigham Young Student Service Association.
After BYUSA President Bill Brady and Executive Vice President Sarah Sandberg were elected, they set to work finding the new 2000-2001 BYUSA vice presidents.
Approximately 40 applicants went through a series of interviews until seven vice presidents were chosen.
Brady shared his feelings about working with the new group.
“We have a dynamic team put together and everyone has something unique to contribute,” he said.
John Bennion, a mechanical engineering major, now serves as the vice president of the Student Advisory Council. Bennion and five executive directors oversee a wide variety of topics, everything from the soapbox to the Provo City Task Force.
Last year Bennion decided to get involved in SAC and he hopes, as SAC vice president, to help better every BYU student’s college experience.
“I hope to improve communication between students and the administration and between students and the community,” Bennion said.
Trevor Davis, 25, a psychology major and the new student council vice president, served as an executive director of the SAC last year.
Davis said that he wanted to be a part of BYUSA another year because, “I’ve seen the good that this organization can do for the students.”
Matt Blackner, 22, an international law and diplomacy major, is the new vice president of campus activities. He and his five executive directors are responsible for some 25 activities through the year, including Fall and Spring Fling and Homecoming week.
Blackner enjoys BYUSA because it gives him the opportunity to be involved in activities and to serve people.
“I want to help make leaders out of leaders and to help them catch the vision,” Blackner said.
Katherine Fairbanks, 21, a senior from Ogden, now serves as the new community service vice president. She says her main goal is to raise awareness.
“I’d like to see people know where they can go for service opportunities. There are tons of places to go and tons of things to do and a lot of good programs that need help,” Fairbanks said.
After not being involved in BYUSA since her freshman year, Fairbanks wanted to jump back in the organization and serve again.
“I love to meet people and see progress and help others have opportunities to serve and to have life changing experience,” Fairbanks said.
Michelle Rosales, 26, marriage, family and human development major, now holds the position of vice president of campus organizations. She worked as an assistant coordinator last year and saw a need for leadership training. This year she hopes to fulfill that need and to also help individual clubs implement Christ and service into their organization.
Rachel Welton, 19, English major from Stockton, Calif., is the new BYUSA vice president of public relations. Her responsibilities include working with external relations of BYUSA, student involvement and acting as a support to all other areas of BYUSA.
“More than anything I hope to let the students of BYU know why we’re here – to serve them,” Welton said.
The new vice president of design and technology is Brandon Christensen, 23, a senior from Shelley, Idaho, majoring in management information systems.
Christensen was originally drawn to BYUSA as a sophomore.
“I became involved in BYUSA because I wanted to make my mark. But I learned that you don’t make your mark by a plaque on campus or through recognition, but you make your mark on individuals,” Christensen said.
