Three students vying for the position of external vice president discussed their views and qualifications to the Residence Halls Association General Assembly Wednesday night.
After three hours of scrutiny by the general assembly, international relations sophomore Derek Wallbank was given the position by a majority vote. Nominations were made last month by general assembly and executive board members.
“I lead by example,” Wallbank said. “I put in more work than I expect others within the organization to do. Talk at the end of the day becomes really, really cheap.”
Wallbank, who served as Case Hall representative since last spring, defeated hospitality business freshman Cory Rose and civil engineering sophomore Tyler Gill.
The job of external vice president is considered one of the most time-consuming positions in RHA, which sponsors events for the 14,601 students living in residence halls. The position pays for 20 hours of work but requires a lot more time. Wallbank will supervise more than two-thirds of an executive board consisting of 17 members.
Wallbank won on a platform of increasing student knowledge of RHA, promoting diversity and working effectively with officials within and outside of RHA.
The position of external vice president became vacant earlier this semester after communication sophomore Emily Edick resigned for unspecified health reasons.
RHA President Tim Liss said the race for filling the position couldn’t have been any closer.
“I think everyone involved in the general assembly had a chance to taste the meaning of true leadership on campus,” he said. “What made this election so unique is all the candidates were very effective in RHA. They clearly represented their halls well.”
Communication senior and Campbell Hall Rep. Justin Komori said Wallbank established his loyalty for RHA by being present at various hall government and caucus meetings.
“I have the highest confidence in Derek’s ability to maintain position,” he said. “Furthermore, he has already begun work with me in making improvements in my hall’s government.”
Wallbank said he would like to see events such as MSU versions of “Fear Factor” and “American Idol.”
Wallbank was instrumental in the formation of Case Hall Castaways - a rendition of the popular television show “Survivor.”
Wallbank said 1,200 people came to the combined events and said he put in 14 hours a day to put the event on.
Wallbank also said he will bring that same kind of dedication to his new post.
“With the kind of programs I want to bring in, cost is measured in time devotion,” he said. “I hope I prove by the end of the year that they (general assembly) made the right decision by picking me.”
