Luke Holloway and MJ Ahmad, Southeastern’s newest Student Government Association (SGA) president and vice president, were recently sworn into office for the 2011-2012 school year. The inauguration took place on the bass clef performance circle outside the Pottle Music Building on April 20, at 11:30 a.m.

SGA Coordinator Beth Richardson opened the ceremony, which was followed by the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. 2010-2011 SGA President David Cavell then gave his outgoing address in which he highlighted some of the major projects that his cabinet spearheaded as well as thanking those who helped him while in office.

Next, the justices, senators, chief justice, vice president and president were each sworn into office. The ceremony ended with Holloway’s incoming address and closing remarks from Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Marvin Yates.

Holloway, a senior history and political science major, originally decided to attend Southeastern in order to stay in close proximity to his family in Covington. After starting school, his parents moved to Saudi Arabia, leaving him and his sister in southern Louisiana. At this point, Holloway planned to transfer to Mississippi College, where all his friends had gone. After getting involved with his fraternity, Kappa Sigma and other organizations on Southeastern’s campus, he decided to stay.

“I saw all the great things that Southeastern had to offer, and I didn’t want to go anywhere else because this is home,” said Holloway.

Since his initial days, Holloway has become involved with a lengthy list of organizations on Southeastern’s campus. He has served as President of Kappa Sigma and the Interfraternity Council (IFC) as well as being a member of the college republicans, Order of Omega honor society, SGA and an orientation leader.

Holloway extended a special thanks to his mother, who flew from Saudi Arabia to see him inaugurated. He credits his family for always being the cornerstone in shaping him into the type of man he has become.

Ahmad, a senior finance major, came to Southeastern through his involvement with track and field. He had initially planned to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, but after coming on a visit to Southeastern, he fell in love with the coaching staff. Ahmad is also involved in a great number of campus organizations. He is vice president of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and Order of Omega honor society, as well as a member of the Latin American Association for Business Majors, SGA and the track and field team. Ahmad will finish his undergraduate degree this May, in just three years.

He will immediately start on his M.B.A. this summer at Southeastern, in which he plans to finish in three semesters instead of four.

He is quick to cite SGA, as well as his fraternity, for instilling in him the standards that motivate him to give back to the student body and community. Ahmad enjoys interacting with the diverse amount of students through his organizational involvement, which is something he and Holloway discussed during their campaign.

“When we sat down and talked about Southeastern, one of the things we wanted to emphasize was making a more united campus,” said Ahmad.

Both Holloway and Ahmad agree that there is a rich diversity of students involved with the 130 student organizations on campus. They plan to help promote these organizations’ originality with the end thought being the unity of Southeastern students.