Dean's Scholars Council Elections

Council Elections for the 1998-1999 long session will begin April 13, 1998. Candidates should submit a brief paragraph describing their qualifications and ideas for the position. Election Rules are availible online.

If you are interested in running, please contact James, Lily, or Manny.

Without further ado, here are the Council candidates for next year:

Audrey Brumback

We've gotten a lot accomplished this past year on the Student Advisory Committee and on the Council, brainstorming ideas for the new seminar format being one of the most important. Now that we've got our plans hammered out, someone's got to implement them. I'd like to be the one to head this up. I promise I won't let you down.

Jonathan Edquid

In my two years at the University, no organization has impressed me so much as Dean's Scholars. Dean's Scholars is a dynamic organization that offers it students the chance to interact with faculty and other students at all levels. I have been enjoyed immensely my participation in the program. My motivation for becoming part of the DS Council is to help the organization continue its tradition of providing excellent opportunities for its members to expand academically and socially. I am committed to seeing DS grow with its students. My hope is that as its students mature, so will DS, deepening and broadening its connection with the university and local communities through Science Fun Days and the Middle School Enrichment Program. Please allow me to contribute my time and ideas to the ongoing development of Dean's Scholars. Thank you.

Josei Lee

Many students at this university receive an education in one field of study and graduate having had only trivial exposure to the ideas and issues of other disciplines. DS does an excellent job of combatting this academic isolation by exposing its participating members to important issues in a wide variety of other fields. This increased awareness is one of the most significant benefits of membership in the DS program. It is also one aspect of the program with great potential for enhancement. Should I be elected to the DS council, I will focus on improving existing programs such as the Friday Lunches as well as implementing new programs to provide more opportunities for a well-rounded University experience. --Josei

Justin Lee

Next year will be my third year in Dean's Scholars. I have been actively involved in the Middle School Enrichment Program since my freshman year, as well as Science Fun Day. I was also the one begging you guys for money during the Christmas collection for the Pediatric AIDS League. Dean's Scholars is in an exciting transition phase, and I would certainly love to be a part of the decision-making process.

Pooja Paranjpe

Hi, my name is Pooja Paranjpe, and I am a first year Dean's Scholar. I've really enjoyed being in this program, and the program as well as the people in it have definitely helped in making the transition to college easier. During the past year, I have become involved with some DS projects such as Middle School Enrichment and Austin Science Fun Day. I'd like to continue my involvement with these programs and increase my overall level of participation by becoming a council member. I have some ideas for council and would love the chance to put them into action. Thanks.

Jennifer Posey

I am a third year Dean's Scholar currently on the council, serving as co-chair of the Enrichment Committee. I have enjoyed being a part of the changes which have taken place through council this year, and would love to see that they continue next year. I have also enjoyed being a part of the Enrichment Committee programs, including Science Fun Day and the presentation groups. I would love the opportunity to continue my commitment to the program as a member of the council again next year.

Arundathi Shenoy

> It's been a great experience to be a member of the first DS Council. We now have several ideas and we are excited about implementing these and making Deans Scholars the ideal honors experience that it promises to be. If re-elected I would like to expand the admissions committee to involve active recruitment in order to attract superior students. I would also like to increase participation of DS's in program activities (Freshmen Orientation, Friday Lunches, new ideas for the trips and so on), this would entail maximum input from your side so that we can attempt to make the changes you'd like to see in DS.

Daniel Sherbet

During my involvement in Dean's Scholars and its many subactivities this past year, I've realized what a wonderful resource this program is to all of us. The most important thing I believe DS offers us is a way of getting to know and forging strong friendships with diverse and interesting people who share a common bond with ourselves. This feature of the program, coupled with a vast array of activities and opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the community around us, makes DS a valuable program for us all. Though the program is fantastic as it is now, it, as everything else, can be improved, and this should be the goal of the incoming DS Council. The groundwork has been laid by the present council for a thorough renovation of the program; my goal as an incoming council member would be to see that the renovations and suggestions are carried through and enhanced, providing for an even better DS experience for us all.

Tara Spires

I have been on the first DS council and have seen it develop. There is much work to be done, and people with experience who can continue to work on plans and ideas will be needed in the coming year. I'll do my best again if elected. Cheers, Tara

Leisa Talbert

Ask my close friends if I, Leisa Talbert, love children and without hesitation they will tell you I love them. So, I began thinking about why exactly I want to represent you on the Dean's Scholars Student Association Council and kids popped into my head. I love children because I can impact their lives. Not to imply that first-years are children at all, but during my first year at the University of Texas, the most active people in Dean Scholar's impacted my life and college experience the most. So, I want to impact your experience at UT and the experiences of future Dean's Scholars. I hope to be given the opportunity to work hard to repay the Dean's Scholars program for all the benefits I have received. I think most Dean's Scholars have the resume to fill these positions, so I won't bother listing mine. I will play an active role in the expansion and continued excellence of this program. I promise to fulfill this leadership position with integrity, dedication and heart. Please elect me to Council with trust in my committment and desire to impact the lives of others.

Roni Talukdar

I, Roni Talukdar, would like to stand for re-election to the council. I feel that my experience as co-chair of the K-12 enrichment program as well work with Icebreakers, Upper Division Dean's Scholars, and even IM football :) will help the program during the next year. If you feel that I can help the program, please vote for me for next year's council.

Kyle Wedin

I feel I can do a lot of good for Dean's Scholars by serving on the Council. The Council is the best method for organizing all of the student input that goes in to running Dean's Scholars. I have already been involved with organizing and helping out events with DS. I worked with the Student Advisory, K-12 Enrichment, and Admissions committees this year, dealing with things from changing the Upper Division Dean's Scholars seminars to recruiting current students for the program. I am excited about the possibilities that a stable organization in a leadership role can do to make projects easier, and how the already amazing opportunities offered by DS can be enriched by the Council's activities.

Elizabeth Weihe

I, Elizabeth Weihe, would like to stand for re-election to the Dean's Scholars Student Association Council. DS has become an established program on campus that has begun to expand it "bounds" not only in size but in the opportunities it provides for it members. As a part of the charter council, I feel that the DS has been able to accomplish more than in its previous years, but there are still many changes due to the growth of the program that need to be addressed and resolved by future councils such as a lack of DS participation, delegation of responsibility to students, and more interactions among fellow DS. As secretary of the '97-'98 council, I have become cognizant of council's responsibilities and the different facets of the program, and have been able to work in conjunction with the five committees (Social, Student Advisory, K-12 Enrichment, Public Relations, and Admissions) to gradually metamorphose the DS program. My commitment and eagerness to mantain the integrity of the program remains strong, and hopefully with reelection to the council, my continued hardwork and dedication can continue to benefit the organization.