Courtesy/Chantal Steggs

Two years of campaigning and strategy paid off for sophomore Joe Steggs earlier this month when he was announced student body president for the 2009-10 school year at Cornerstone.

“I walked up to [Student Body President] Simeon Brace freshmen year, introduced myself and said, ‘Hi, my name’s Joe Steggs, and I’ll be taking your job in two years.’ And that’s this year,” Steggs said. “He gave me a big smile and said that would be great, and we’ve been talking about it ever since.”

The student government (CUSG) elections were held on Friday, Feb. 13. Steggs, who served as class senator, vice president and president in high school, received 57 percent of the vote to defeat sophomore Libby Burton (37 percent). Amanda Smith, who was the only student to run for executive vice president of legislation, received 73 percent of the vote, more than the 10 percent needed to win. 371 students voted.

“I think Joe is definitely experienced in running student governments,” Brace said. “I believe he wants it. I believe he has definite goals. He’s definitely an idea guy.”

Steggs said he wants to “improve the communication flow” at Cornerstone and develop a “more concentrated missions focus.”

“Cornerstone’s stuck in the 1990s as far as communication,” Steggs said. “When we rely solely on emails for communicating with each other it’s time for an update. Visual media is a communication medium of the present and that’s what we need.”

Steggs plans to develop Cornerstone video channels on YouTube and Eagle’s Nest to advertise sporting events, CUSG activities, hall council activities and organizational activities, as part of an effort to improve school spirit.

“It’s definitely high on the priority list,” he said. “Half the people on campus don’t realize when [events are] going to be, and that’s why they don’t go because they don’t know,” Steggs said.

He also plans to designate office hours in each dorm for student government executives.

“That way it would make them more approachable to students,” Steggs said. “Because one compliant I’ve heard is that students don’t feel CUSG is approachable for their concerns about campus life.

“I strongly believe in brining CUSG to the students, instead of making the students come to CUSG.”

John Warren, Associate Dean of Student Services and CUSG adviser, said he is hoping to see Steggs’ administration build on the success that Brace’s administration has established.

“I would like to see them more active and more connected with areas of the campus,” Warren said. “I think this year’s group has some great ideas that I would like to see carried on, and hopefully to transition some of that.”

Brace, who will finish out the semester as student body president, said Steggs’ training will begin immediately.

“I want to have Joe in here as much as possible shadowing me,” Brace said. “And I’ll go over everything that I do. He’ll go with me to meetings. I’ll explain why I do things, how I do things and anything else that comes to mind. I want him to be as best equipped as possible.”

CUSG is looking to fill several positions for next year, including Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Finance and Records, Vice President of Student Organizations and Vice President of Student Activities. Once Steggs’ cabinet is filled, Brace plans to supervise group bonding activities, as well as have his team walk through the ins-and-outs of the various jobs with Steggs’ team.