Benjamin Kraus:
Benjamin Kraus wants to represent you in the Purdue Senate.
The Internet moves ideas; Aviation Movies People
Technology drives it all.
-What I Want to See Happen-
As a third-year student in the college of technology, I have never really felt connected with student government here at Purdue. Have you? Should you?
I think the answer should be yes. Our views and opinions matter. Yet few of us feel connected to our student government. I want to fix that.
How? Quite simple actually. I plan on talking with as many students as possible to find out what’s on your mind. (Far out, I know.) What do you like about the way our school is run? What do you feel needs changing?
I plan to stand around Knoy or Niswanger with a note pad or maybe go from class to class. I want to make the line of communication between you and your student government really easy. Finding out what YOU really want to see happen and then transforming that into reality will be my number one priority.
Whether you vote for me or not, it is important to elect a senator who understands this.
But of course I hope you’ll vote for me.
- Background / Experience-
• Interned for six months with Deutsche Post DHL in Leipzig, Germany
- Planning to intern at Southwest Airlines in Dallas this summer.
• Serving as PSG proxy for current college of technology senator, Kyasha Edmond.
• Lived in Belgium for four years
• Involved in several extracurricular clubs and activities on campus
- Maintain a good GPA.
-A Little About Me-
• Currently a Junior in the Department of Aviation
• Photography is my favorite hobby
• I love experiencing new cultures, exploring new ideas, and testing my physical limits.
• If I had a choice I would be reincarnated into a panda.
• One of my life goals is to fly in an F-18 and not throw up.
• Moist is a pointless word
• Coffee is delicious.
Binyam Gurmu:
Binyam Gurmu is running for Senator for the College of Technology. He is a freshman majoring in Building Construction Management (BCM) and minoring in Computer Graphics Technology. Venturing to Purdue from his home in Kansas City, he is looking to make a positive impact on the college he is studying in. He is currently holding these positions:
-Ambassador for the College of Technology
-Professional Chair for AGC (a departmental organization for BCM)
-Executive Director for Purdue Leaders Forum
-Radio DJ at his residence hall, Cary Quadrangle.
And this does not include the clubs he is a basic member of. Gurmu’s got a lot of energy and is constantly looking for healthy outlets that can help improve campus. As a young, new voice, he thinks there’s plenty of room for change and innovation.
Platform
Already serving as an ambassador for the College of Technology, Gurmu has already ascertained a substantial amount of background information on the college of technology and feels improvement can and should be made. His platform consists of two main goals: unity within the college, and innovation with the technology. He thinks that Purdue’s College of Technology is filled with great majors, great students, and a lot of potential. That being said, he believes that more networking and interactivity should be present between majors. Possibilities include
-Social or professional events with all CoT students
-Competitions requiring different majors, or
-Major-based acknowledgement weeks similar to Tech Week.
This is the main goal.
Aside from that, he wants to get the student’s tuition back to the students by upgrading outdated technology within our majors and take in mind any changes the students want sought out. If elected, an “innovation box” will be implemented where the students can input their ideas on any changes they want made. With these ideas we can make the College of Technology, one that is admired by all.
Vote for Binyam Gurmu, and make your college, YOUR college.
Kimberly Branch:
Name: Kimberly Branch
From: Friendswood, Texas
College: College of Technology
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
Classification: Junior
Campus Involvement:
Minority Technology Association
Swipe Out Starvation
TEDx PurdueU
Women in Technology
Objectives as Senate: (Platforms)
-Represent the College of Technology at PSG meetings and events
-Keep students up-to-date on the necessary information that affects them
-Help improve the College of Technology
-Ask the students for important topics that need to be brought up at PSG meetings
Nathan Thomas Craig:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nathancraig.senate
Twitter: @craig_senate
Name: Nathan Thomas Craig
Studies: Aviation Management, Farm Management, Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Akron, Indiana
After College: Continue my education to earn a MBA, then begin a career in Aviation Law with a government agency.
Background
I am currently a senior with a major in Aviation Management, a minor in Farm Management, and I have recently completed the Certificate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation program. Although, I am a senior, I have decided to continue my education at this great university. I have completed the CTI courses for Air Traffic Control and look forward to completing the Airport Management courses next year along with completing my minor in Farm Management (Victory Lap)!
This year, I am campaigning to represent Purdue University College of Technology Students as your senator in Purdue Student Government. I am committed to being an active a responsive candidate, and look forward to meeting as many students as possible. I am dedicated to running a fair and positive campaign with the interest of the College of Technology Student Body as my top priority. Through collaboration and regular interaction, I can assure that I will be a positive voice for the College of Technology if elected as your Senator.
I have been very fortunate to have the opportunities to gain valuable experience that have given me the skills necessary to excel in a leadership role. The past two summers I have had internships in small business management and airport administration and operations. Through the internship program at Minot International Airport I was given the opportunity to represent the airport in many interactions with the City Council, North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, FAA, Minot Air Force Base, and many other organizations. I know my professionalism and cooperation would greatly benefit the College of Technology student body if selected to serve as a senator in Purdue Student Government.
Platform
President Daniels has taken a step in the right direction by freezing tuition and cutting merit pay raises for administrators, deans, and professional staff with salaries over $50,000 for the next two years. However, I know there is so much more we can do to help our students when it comes to paying for college. It begins by examining and evaluating how our tuition and expenses are being used by the university. I am determined to bridge the gap in communication between the student body, student government and board of trustees on discussing solutions to these issues. How can we lessen the financial impact on our students? How can we improve efficiency in university spending? I know there are solutions to these questions, and all it takes is initiative and open collaboration to help our students.
A senator should always be focused on being the voice of the student body they represent. Although this has been an issue in the past, I can guarantee that I would no longer let that be the case. I have a strong belief in making myself available to hear every opinion of every student, not only for the students of the College of Technology, but for every student of Purdue University. I firmly believe in putting politics aside and speaking for the students. I want to hear how College of Technology students want me to represent them, and all other colleges are free to contact me and I would be more than happy to pass your messages along to your respective senator. Lets make university issues a collaborative effort, not the sole opinions of individuals with voting rights. Individually we are students, but together we are Purdue!
Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions, concerns, or general comments via facebook or my email address (craign@purdue.edu). I will be more than happy to discuss any issues, elaborate more on my platform, or anything else you can think of.
Also, follow me on twitter to stay up-to-date on events, news and where I will be on campus.
Respectfully,
Nathan T. Craig