Moody Bible Institute held student elections for Student Council (STUCO), Resident Activities Council (RACO) and Student Missions Fellowship (SMF) during the regular chapel hour on April 14. The former leaders of the groups thanked their fellow students for allowing them to serve during the past year and the new candidates presented their campaign messages.

The winning presidential candidate for STUCO, Matthew Leon (sophomore, theology), who ran with Heather Thornton (sophomore, educational ministries) as vice president, voiced his desire to hear student ideas for positive change. He also promised to advocate for some specific changes, such as improving the student cafeteria and adding athletic equipment to the Solheim Center. Amy Bennett (junior, communications) was elected to STUCO’s public relations office, while Desiree Nicholas (freshman, theology) was given the position of treasurer.

The elected leaders of RACO were Jeremy Schambach (sophomore, educational ministries) and his running mate Amelio Lopez (freshman, educational ministries). They pledged to keep events affordable and creative, and to bring back some traditional events that have been dropped in recent years. Tara Fairty (freshman, educational ministries) was elected treasurer.

For SMF, Meredith Redding (sophomore, Bible) and Hilliary Anderson (junior, educational ministries) were elected president and vice president, respectively. Tsenbemo Murry (freshmen, music) was elected worship coordinator, while Mark Kischner (sophomore, pastoral studies) became the projects coordinator. Louis Karlberg (junior, Bible) was given the office of treasurer.

“These elections are important to Moody because it gives student leaders an incredible opportunity to step-up and display the gifts that God has given them,” said Lopez. “It also helps bring the student body together in voting for whomever they feel is the right man or woman for the position.”

- Jessica C. Winter, Sophomore, Applied Linguistics