Faculty, advisors and students of Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) and the Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center (GSBLC) gathered on Oct. 1st, to certify the election of eighteen new members to the United Student Government (USG). Every school year, the inauguration takes place at the start of the fall semester in order to swear in those elected in the fall, as well as those previously elected in the spring. This year’s inauguration is unique, according to Leighton Magoon, FCLC’17 and president of USG, because the executive board is comprised entirely of newly elected members.

The ceremony was led by Dorothy Wenzel, Ph.D., director of the Office of Student Leadership and Community Development (OSLCD) at FCLC and advisor to USG. Each newly elected senator and board member stood before the audience and swore an oath to uphold themselves as members of USG.

USG is the main student governing body at Fordham Lincoln Center and serves as a voice for its community, this year aiming to take on various policy initiatives. In his closing remarks, Magoon expressed his enthusiasm for the start of the new year. “Although [this year] does bring some challenges, I do think it also brings some big advantages as everyone is really excited and driven to do really good work,” Magoon stated during the ceremony. There really is a need for USG on campus,” he continued, calling on his fellow members to “harness the energy that they all have” for the coming months.

Many shared Magoon’s sentiments about the new year. Dr. Wenzel stated that she “looks forward to working with the group in helping them affect change.” Amanda Ritchie FCLC ’17 and vice president of operations of USG, cited the inauguration as a “great way for everyone to connect and get excited about what is coming up for this school year.” Newly elected freshman senator David Briones, FCLC ’19, stated that he is “looking forward to helping fellow classmates.”

Some seniors expressed their eagerness to work with USG in their last year. According to newly elected senator Edward Adams, FCLC’16, “being a part of USG as a senior is a good way of keeping contact with the community.” Fellow senator Avery Bart, FCLC’16, echoed these feelings, saying “this is our last chance to have any effect on the Fordham Community.”

USG invites all members of the Fordham Community to attend their meetings. They are held on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., during the designated activity block.

Below is the complete list of newly appointed members:

Freshman senators: David Briones FCLC’19, Daniel Nasta FCLC ’19, Kayla Wolf FCLC ’19, and Bernard Zhang GSBLC’10

Sophomore Senators: Andrew Donchak FCLC ’18, Raphael Famatigan FCLC ’18, Rebecca Song FCLC ’18, Matthew McCarthy GSBLC ’18, and Dominic Umbro GSBLC ’18

Junior Senators: Yint Hmu FCLC ’17 and Daniel Wilson FCLC ’17

Senior Senators: Edward Adams FCLC ’16, Avery Bart FCLC ’16 and Camilo Gamboa ’16

Secretary: Rory Hanrahan FCLC ’18

Treasurer: Abraham Alec Padron GSBLC ’18

Vice President for Student Affairs: Ambra Marengo FCLC ’16

Vice President for Operations: Amanda Ritchie FCLC ’16
President: Leighton Magoon FCLC ’17