UM welcomes new ASB president

am deeply moved and humbled to be in this position today,” said Artair Rogers, a junior public policy leadership major from Guntown, in an acceptance speech following his inauguration as Associated Student Body president March 31.

He also spoke about the success that the university experienced last year as host of the presidential debate. “We will never forget the defining moment that occurred at this university on Sept. 26, 2008,” he said. “This debate placed our campus on a national stage, and Ole Miss was ready for the challenge. We as an institution united and rose to a new level of greatness.”

Post-debate, the university must focus on maintaining national attention, Rogers said. “We must strive to continue to be on this national stage, which is where we belong. We have the resources, we have the ability. Now it’s time to move. It’s time for moving from being simply great to being the greatest.”

Chancellor Robert Khayat attended the inauguration and said farewell to the members of the 2008-09 ASB council.

“This group of ASB students was unyielding, untiring and relentless in their efforts to make Ole Miss a better place,” he said.

Graham Purcell, outgoing president, administered the oath of office to Rogers and gave words of advice to the incoming administration. He challenged them to never forget who they were elected to serve, to never forget the university’s vision and to always “ensure that the smallest voices are heard.”

Other new ASB officers include Richard McKay, a junior accountancy major from Philadelphia, vice president; Martin Fisher, a sophomore public policy leadership major from Greenwood, secretary; Charles Gautier, a junior accountancy major from Long Beach, treasurer; Bill Rosenblatt, a sophomore history major from Jackson, judicial council chair; and Jordan Sudduth, a senior economics major from Brandon, attorney general.

For more information on the ASB, visit www.dosolemiss.com/page.php?page_id=107709/.