Originally submitted as part of an application to the USA TODAY College written/visual program on April 7, 2015.
Growing up as a young individual suffering financial woes, Joseph Shepard never thought that he would, one day, be elected to president of his collegiate student body.
“There was a period of my life where I was actually homeless,” Shepard said. “So, that is where all of the emotions come from when they announced Khondoker and I had won.
On Thursday, results from the 2014 SGA elections were announced at the Rhatigan Student Center, naming off new elected officials and revealing results of the competing presidential campaigns.
With an emphasis on the importance of diversity, Shocker Alliance, comprised of Shepard and running-mate Khondoker Usama, beat competing campaign Marcotte Glasscock, ran by Manon Marcotte and Dalton Glasscock.
With these new positions, Shepard says that they are now able to work with campus and community officials to take the university to new heights.
New changes
One of the main topics in the WSU community over the past year is talks of renovation to the Harvey D. Grace Memorial Chapel. Opened in 1963, the chapel, a place dedicated by Mrs. Harvey D. Grace to the university as a space for all faiths, has come under discussion as being a place that is limited for inter-faith activities.
“One of the ways we want to implement diversity right off the bat is making sure the university implements the changes to the chapel,” Shepard said.
On the inside, the chapel is comprised of rows of pews leading to a pulpit, similar to many western churches.
As a result, many feel that the chapel is unfriendly for students of non-Christian faiths. With renovations, pews will be removed and replaced with carpeting, making space for individuals of the WSU community to practice daily rituals in a safe, open environment.
“We want to make sure [the renovations] come to pass in a timely fashion,” Shepard said. “There are so many people who are Muslim who cannot pray in a public or private place — they have to go to the third floor of the library or have to walk 25 minutes to the closest mosque,” Shepard said.
Over the past year, another topic that has been hot in the WSU community is the topic of safety and security. After a string of muggings and assaults just outside of campus, culminating with the rape, assault and burning of 36-year-old Letitia Davis at Fairmount Park, individuals in the region have expressed concern.
Vice President Elect Khondoker, also vice-president of the Fairmount Neighborhood Association, plans to help further the safety of the student body as the campus grows.
“To cater of their needs of safety and security, we need to respond to them as a whole,” Khondoker said. “We always said we could address their concerns.”
Diverse dedications
For Shepard and Khondoker, the road to executive body was not an easy one.
“Growing up in a low-income family really shaped who I am,” Shepard said. “I remember, there was a moment when my brothers and my sisters and my biological mother were sleeping in the car and, I said to myself, ‘I have got to do better.’”
Khondoker, an international student from Bangladesh, has found his own set of challenges.
“Its tough and because of the political unrest in my country, and crime needs of the people, it pushes me to campaign for the needs of those people.”
As a result of their diverse backgrounds, Shepard and Khondoker want to make sure the student body knows they can do anything they put their minds to.
“I think this is an opportunity to show the Shocker community anything is possible,” Khondoker said.
Featured image caption: Student Body President-elect Joseph Shepard has a moment with his best friend Blake Glasgow, sophomore, at the RSC following the announcement of the 2015-2015 SGA election winners Friday. (Kevin Brown/The Sunflower — April 3, 2015)