Hello Teal Nation!
Congratulations on reaching the end of the academic year!
I hope you’re finally able to take a deep breath—summer is here, and you’ve absolutely earned a restful break. After all the blood, sweat, tears and dining dollars spent on energy drinks to get through this year, you deserve it.
This moment is bittersweet. For some, this is the end of a year, but for others– including myself– this marks the end of our time at Coastal.
That might feel relieving, scary, sad, exciting– or maybe all of the above. I’m right there with you.
It has truly been a joy and an honor to advocate, support and care for the thousands of Chanticleers who make up our community.
The Student Government Association (SGA) has grown into something I could never imagined when I became Student Body President a few years ago.
We had a historic year! We filled and maintained a full senate, representing every college on campus. In a landmark moment, we achieved the highest SGA election voter turnout in over a decade– 2,090 votes, almost 20% of our student body!
SGA has become a vital part of campus life and continues to prove its importance in the shared governance of the university. My biggest goal was to establish that the student voice is always important– regardless of who is in power and regardless of the ebbs and flows of student participation.
I’m deeply thankful to the administration, faculty, staff and students that have supported me and SGA over the years.
The future of SGA looks bright under the leadership of President-elect Lyndsey Gilbert, and I am beyond excited for the advocacy and growth that lies ahead with the incoming administration.
To the Chanticleers who will still be here– plant well. Your time at Coastal has purpose; make the most of it.
To my fellow graduates, congratulations! I wish you the absolute best as you enter a new season. Don’t forget the lessons you learned, the memories you’ve made, and most importantly– that you will always have a home here in Teal Nation.
All my love,
Gabrielle
