Dear Editor, News-Register:
I am writing to share my enthusiastic support for West Liberty University.
Today, (May 7, 2022) is Commencement, and I am the newly installed President of the Student Government Association (SGA). I solemnly accepted this duty when I was voted in by my fellow students; and sworn in by Executive Director of Housing and Student Life, Marcella Snyder, on April 27, 2022.
I wanted to run for SGA president because I am goal-driven; and when I saw the need for new programming and new opportunities for the students, I agreed to run.
The recent negative news reflected by media in regards to the university administration takes away from the student experience. I believe it shifts the focus away from academic excellence and student engagement, which in my opinion, is the purpose of WLU.
In my new position, I now serve on the Board of Governors, and I’m pleased to give the students a voice in shared governance.
I’m a big advocate for transparency and efficiency because I feel like if we say that we’re going to do something, we must do it.
I believe students need to be aware of what Student Government is, and how it can help the overall student experience.
West Liberty University is a welcoming place for all students to call home. It has given me opportunity and an excellent education. As a marketing major in the Gary E. West College of Business, I am active in Greek Life and am part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) advisory board.
Relationships between faculty, staff and students are valued and easy to make at West Liberty University; and my hope is this will continue in the upcoming years.
I am committed to bridging the gap between students, faculty, and administration by forming strong relationships between these three segments of governance. I offer my congratulations to the Class of 2022, and I look forward to my own commencement in the near future.
With Topper Pride,
Sydney Burkle
Student Government Association President
Editor’s Note: The above letter to the Editor appeared in the May 7 of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register and is linked here.