Swimming the shark-infested waters of student government politics might have some students running for the shore, but a handful of candidates running for ASUO office who haven’t been knocked down by the primary election are moving on to the next big wave — the general election.
Jesse Harding, a junior majoring in journalism and international studies, and Anthony Kuchulis, a sophomore political science major, are competing for ASUO Student Senate Seat 8 in the general election, April 21 through 23, and will serve on the Athletic Department Finance Committee
if elected.
Seat 8 is one of three senate positions that includes a commitment to working on the ADFC, which is responsible for maintaining and coordinating an agreement with the Athletic Department about student tickets at athletic events.
Harding, an Oregon native from Lake Oswego, said he takes to student leadership like a duck to water. Ever since he first came to the University, Harding has been involved as a leader in a variety of campus activities, such as being president of the Residence Hall Association his freshman year. He added that his time at the University has helped shape the person he has become.
“I don’t know if there isn’t a way (the University) hasn’t influenced me over the last few years,” Harding said.
Harding’s motivation for wanting to be a student leader is in the same stream of thought as the old camping philosophy of leaving a place better than it was when you first got there. Harding said that after he graduates and leaves the University, he wants to be able to point back and say he created a positive change for students.
Harding said he has aspirations of being a foreign television correspondent, and is in the process of learning French and helping produce segments of the student-run television show “Duck U.”
Kuchulis, Harding’s competition for Seat 8 in the upcoming general election, said he doesn’t want the student voters to mistake him for being inexperienced just because he is in his sophomore year. He added he has an edge over students running for ASUO as juniors and seniors because he will be able to keep working on the projects and changes that are instituted without worrying about graduating.
“My advantage is that I bring a new voice to the senate,” Kuchulis said.
Kuchulis said much of his free time is spent engaging in a number of outdoor pursuits, such as snowboarding, basketball and boxing. However, he is currently taking a break from athletic activities to recuperate from his third anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
Independence and the chance to grow as an individual has had a profound impact on his life since he first came to the University, Kuchulis said. He added that being away from home and his family has given him the chance to explore who he really is, and he hopes to someday have his own law practice, a goal common among many of the candidates running for ASUO office this year.
Click below to see the full transcript of the candidate’s interview:
- Anthony Kuchulis’ Interview
– Apr 04, 2003
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