New student senate leaders installed









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Student Senate officers for 2004 are, from left: Treasurer Jeff Boyle (graduate student) of Dakota Dunes, S.D., Vice President Nick Behrendt (M-2) of Omaha, Student President Ryan Arnold (M-3) of Omaha, and Secretary Sanjot Savant (graduate student) of India.

Outgoing UNMC Student Senate President Casey Johnston has formally passed the leadership torch to Ryan Arnold.

Arnold, a third-year College of Medicine student, was installed Thursday as the 2004 president of the UNMC Student Senate. He also serves as a non-voting member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., administered the oath of office to Arnold, and Nick Behrendt, a second-year College of Medicine student, who will serve as vice president. Dr. Maurer also administered the oath to the 2004 student senators.

“Dr. Maurer is a great friend of the student senate,” said David Carver, Ph.D., Student Senate advisor and director of the UNMC Counseling and Student Development Center. “He is a tremendous advocate of students and Student Senate, in particular.”









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UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., speaks to members of the Student Senate, as Casey Johnston, far left, David Carver, Ph.D., and Ryan Arnold listen.

“Student Senate is a very important and powerful organization because it represents all the wishes of all the students,” Dr. Maurer told the group. “Do not underestimate the power of the students or the power of the Student Senate at the university or at the medical center. The students drive the whole process.”

Thursday’s reception also was an opportunity to recognize outgoing senate president Casey Johnston, who has served the senate as secretary, vice president and most recently, president; and Kristin (Sonderegger) Somers, who served as Student Senate vice president.

“Casey was a phenomenal representative of the students to the Board of Regents,” Dr. Maurer said. “We are very proud of our students. They always add insight to the discussions.”









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Nick Behrendt, left, and Ryan Arnold.

Arnold, who pledged to voice student opinions with campus leaders, encouraged members of the senate to keep in touch with their classmates and share their perspectives and concerns with him. He also wants to increase communication between colleges and foster the campus environment.