PHOTO | Courtesy of Kirk Scarborough

One of the highest profile student organizations on campus is Student Government. This organization is responsible for helping students with issues that affect the student body.

The officers of Student Government maintain a close working relationship with the faculty and staff of the University to create an academically challenging university, as well as ensuring that the student body is presented with plenty of fun opportunities.

The foremost connection between the student body and the faculty, staff and administration is the Student Body President. This school year, West Texas A&M has been represented by Kirk Scarbrough. He is a senior Speech Communication major and has proven to be a very unique president.

When he campaigned for this esteemed position, he had goals in mind and ideas that would change the face of Student Government. His main focus was communication.

“I vowed to the student body to increase communication between the office of Student Government, students, faculty, staff and administration,” Scarbrough said. “Whether it be through the open forums that we held, or the radio show that my Vice President and I piloted, the communication flowed through campus to effectively voice concerns that students had.”

Scarbrough’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by the student body, faculty or staff.

“Kirk has done an outstanding job of keeping the concerns of students in the forefront of discussion here at WT,” said Dr. Dave Rausch, Teel Bivins professor of political science. “He also works hard at advocating and publicizing WT to the larger community.”

His hard work gains him respect from his peers also. J.D. Morrison, who is a Graduate Student studying Finance and Economics, holds the position as Student Body Chief Justice for this school year.

“Kirk has done a lot of good things,” Morrison said. “The next elected President is really going to have to follow up on his efforts for campus involvement. He brings in groups that would not usually have the chance for a voice.”

As President, Scarbrough has brought plenty of unique spontaneity to the University forefront. This school year, many students have been caught totally unaware while they milled around the JBK standing in line for lunch or chatting with friends. All of a sudden a song will break through the crowd and groups of students will burst out in dance.

Every time this happens, Scarbrough is in the middle of the dancers spurring them on. These outbreaks have come to be called Flash Mobs. On WT’s home page, this definition of Flash Mob is given: “A group of people who appear from out of nowhere, to perform predetermined actions, designed to amuse and confuse surrounding people.”

(If you have not seen the video performances of the Flash Mob, click here or scroll to the bottom of this article.)

“The flash mob was a culmination of ideas between a few individuals on campus,” Scarbrough said. “Ultimately, I wanted a creative way to kick the New Year off on a random, fun, exciting foot.”

“College is a time that you shouldn’t know what is happening next. Maybe that has to do with the opportunity to meet new people, or the opportunity to witness 50 individuals dancing in the student center. Your time at WT should be peppered with those moments that you least expect.”

These unexpected moments have caught the eye of many people already and have shown a very fun side of Scarbrough.

“He has made the job very fun,” said Tim Vela, Student Body Vice President, who is a senior Speech Communication major. “He puts a lot into it and makes it exciting to work.”

Scarbrough graduates this semester and must leave his position as Student Body President.

“I love this University,” Scarbrough said. “I did before I took this position and I do, even more, when I step away from my year of service.

Above all, I feel honored that this student body has allowed me to represent them on many platforms, from community functions to national levels—this opportunity has been immeasurable. Although I am sad to let this position go, I know that there are transformative leaders within our student body that are willing and ready to take on the responsibility and steer our University into the future.”

Nominations and elections for Student Government, as well as other campus positions, are coming up towards the end of this semester. If you are interested, you can visit the Student Government office across from the Information desk in the JBK.

WTAMU Flash Mob