Four freshmen prevail in competitive ASA race

This fall, Augustana’s freshman class elected four new senators to the Augustana Student Association. Afomiya Dejene, Maggie McKeown and Igen Nyawanda were elected as freshman senators, and Nina Luz was elected as the freshman international student senator.

ASA President Annie Johnston expressed her enthusiasm for what these new senators can bring to ASA.

“I hope they bring a willingness to listen and debate in a respectful way but also to bring their passions to the table,” Johnston said. “I hope there is always a connection between them and the individuals they are serving.” 

This year’s freshman ASA election was particularly competitive with 11 students running for three freshman senator seats, and five students running for one freshman international student senator seat. Last year, just six students ran for freshman senator and two students ran for international student senator. 

“ASA engagement during Welcome Week was pretty big. We really tried to connect with first-year students,” Johnston said. “We really tried to push the dialogue to students that were not specifically government majors.”

ASA’s outreach may have also impacted voter turnout. A total of 144 freshmen cast their votes in the election — 27.01% of the freshman class, a 61% increase from last year when around 16.74% voted.

“I think the increase in large part can be attributed to the freshmen that were running,” Johnston said. “There was some really intense campaigning: There were some treats, a lot of food and some really cool engagement sessions around campus.”

Newly elected senator Maggie McKeown distributed various baked goods around campus decorated with small blue flags emblazoned with “Maggie for ASA.”

“It’s a great conversation starter,” McKeown said. “‘Do you want some free food?’ And then get talking to them.”

Then-candidates Igen Nyawanda, JC Michael and Hussein Kadhim tabled together outside the Morrison Commons. The candidates hosted trivia with candy prizes and answered questions about their campaigns.

“It was a lot of fun,” Nyawanda said. “If they decided to stop at the table, they could try to guess three pretty hard trivia questions for the chance to win a Stanley.  I think the hope was that if they remembered our name on ballot day, they could vote for us.”

Outside of individual campaign efforts, ASA hosted a freshman senator panel to help candidates communicate their messages to their constituents.

Candidates introduced themselves and were asked to explain why they were running for ASA, what they would prioritize and how they would respond to conflict and approach differences. Unique plans included Nyawanda’s idea to create a system for upperclassmen to sell their used textbooks to underclassmen and Lauren Murphy’s plan to collaborate with Lutheran organizations outside of Augustana. Among the more unusual proposals at the panel were John Mortrude’s suggestions to introduce koi fish into the Viking Oasis and “potentially adding a diving board.”

Dorm living was a recurring theme. Dejene proposed bringing pool tables and board games to all campus dorms. Kadhim suggested creating a designated place to study in Stavig Hall, and McKeown described her plan to bring ice machines to the dorms.

President Johnston noted that policies regarding dorm living are often common among first-year candidates.

“I think this speaks to the freshman experience,” Johnston said. “When you move into dorm life, there are always numerous complaints about some of the laundry services, air conditions and utilities.”

Freshman voter Clark Egland expressed his frustration with laundry services in Stavig.

“The dryers don’t get your clothes to dry, and the ratio of dryers to people doesn’t work too well,” Egland said. “You’re usually waiting, and it ends up taking, like, two hours.”

Ultimately, Egland was more concerned about the candidates themselves than their platform.

“It wasn’t so much about policies but more the way they behaved and if I thought they would be a respectful person who would try their best,” Egland said. “I wanted someone who is respectful, who I could look up to and be a pillar of responsibility on ASA.”

ASA will host their first meeting with the freshman senators on Oct. 3, 2024 in the Wagoner Hall kitchen.