James Hagan
Published: April 13 2004
The Milton Student Government Association (SGA) was awarded second place for community colleges in “Florida Leader” magazine’s annual “Best Student Government” competition.
Finishing behind Miami Dade College-Wolfson, the SGA was praised by the magazine for not only boosting membership by 500 percent over the past year, but also for starting workshops on topics such as credit, sexual assault, scholarships and volunteer work.
Joe Elder, current Milton SGA President (and Sports Editor for The Corsair,) said that the group put in more than 1100 volunteer hours more than the past year.
In the article, SGA curriculum coordinator Anthea E. Amos said that the Milton group is “the finest SGA with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work” in her 25 years.
Elder said the success of the group is a team effort.
“We have a core group of individuals who really make a difference and try their hardest to make our SGA stand out. If it were not for that core group, I am not sure if we would have been able to achieve what we have. Our entire group participates in all of our activities.”
The article also praised the steps the SGA took to get information out to students, including information posted in restrooms, monthly cookouts and a campus newsletter.
Elder made sure to stress the impact their advisor, Butch Branch has had on the group.
“Butch is far and away the best advisor an SGA could ask for. He is a great leader and he is very supportive. Butch is always willing to take time out of his busy day to help our SGA with anything. He sacrifices his own free time to help us out. Butch is a true asset to the Milton SGA,” he said.
The winning semester’s executive board of the Milton SGA is comprised of Tonya Burnett (President), Elder (Vice President), Jeremy Jarrett (Secretary), Jason Doty (Activities Coordinator), Mandy Smith (Public Relations) and Ray Carroll (Judicial Chair).
While honored and humbled by the accolades, Elder said that the Milton SGA isn’t planning to rest on their laurels.
“Our main focus has always been the student body. That is who we are here for,” said Elder.