By: Joe Adgie

The Jimerson administration passed the torch to the Barker administration on Monday night.

SGA President Tyler Barker was sworn in at a ceremony in the Student Union, which also served as the final SGA meeting until August.

Before he was sworn in, however, outgoing SGA President Will Jimerson had some final thoughts for his past year in office.

“We started the semester way back in August at our first senator orientation at the University Center, where I revealed the organization’s strategic plan, that aligned with VP Oshodi’s platform ‘Working for You from the Inside Out’ and my platform ‘Student Involvement: Retention, Graduation, Progression,’” Jimerson said. “We have reached our potential and desire to grow into all that we are destined and desired to be.”

Jimerson pointed out the various objectives that the SGA had and matched during the season. Some of these objectives involved bridging a gap between the SGA, the student body and the administration; increasing the visibility of the SGA; and improving clarity of the internal and external workings of the SGA.

Not long after, Barker was sworn in, as was Vice President Nick Buford and comptroller Tamelia Hall. The process was officiated by VSU President William McKinney.

President Barker had some words for the next SGA.

“Athletic champions say the most difficult challenge in regards to repeating as champions is to dedicate twice as much effort, diligence, and hard work all over again,” Barker said. “I’m saying this to say that this school year, we have won a championship in regards to our name and to our change on this campus. We couldn’t do this without our head coach, Will Jimerson, our assistant coach, Hassanat Oshodi, offensive coordinator Erica Adams, defensive coordinator Kara Fountain and us, the SGA senate, full of power – power guards, shooting guards, power forwards, and small forwards and centers.

“We can repeat as champions for SGA,” Barker said.