Laoruangroch sworn in as president
Published Feb. 6, 2004
Surrounded by nine tables filled with "friendly faces" enjoying a posh dinner, Brian Laoruangroch and Kara Heppermann were formally sworn in as Missouri Students Association president and vice president on Thursday.
"Being the MSA president requires trust," Laoruangroch said in his acceptance speech. "Most importantly, it requires the trust of those who elected me. I am privileged to have been given the trust of the largest student body in the state of Missouri."
Laoruangroch, Hepper-mann and their cabinet members outlined plans for the year and spoke about their excitement to be able to serve the student body.
"The Department of Student Communications is there for one reason: to inform everyone of everything MSA does," DSC Director Nick Trusty said.
The department is studying new programs to make sure advertising is effective, he said. They also are working to devise a team of senators to speak to classes about MSA.
The Department of Student Services will work on Web sites designed to help students, DSS Director Andrea Smith said. The Department of Student Activities will continue planning programs such as concerts, DSA Director David Crawford said.
"We want to do as much stuff for students as possible," Crawford said.
During the inauguration, MSA Senate Speaker Jon Hensley presented the Kurt C. Nelson/Reece Dameron Excellence Award to MSA Senate Clerk Damon Ferlazzo. The award is given to an MSA member who has provided exemplary service to the organization.
"He has a reputation of knowledge and fidelity and has a genuine personality," Hensley said. "He's been serving since the beginning of his freshman year. He's been a Godsend."
Ferlazzo said he was humbled by Hensley's words.
"I am honored to be amongst these people who have served their time well here at Mizzou," he said.
Outgoing MSA President Brett Ordnung wished the new administration luck in his final speech.
"This will be the most fun and the biggest headache they'll ever have," he said. "This has been the best year of my life. I don't know how I'm going to top it. Cherish the position. Make me look bad. If anybody can, I know Brian can."
Heppermann said the evening's speeches made her excited for the year.
"It really hit me tonight that it's official now, being surrounded by my friends, family and members of MSA," she said. "I can tell we're going to have a wonderful year."
Laoruangroch said administration has many plans for the year that he hopes to accomplish.
"I am excited about this administration's future because Kara and I have surrounded ourselves with great support," he said. "I'm sure you would prefer I work on projects rather than talk about them."