With 4,103 votes totaling to 60 percent, Lauren Hayes, a senior in public administration and German, was announced the winner of the SGA presidential election during callouts at Cater Lawn at 10 p.m.
“I’m so overwhelmed,” Hayes said. “That was the most nerve-wracking 10 minutes of my life.”
Hayes defeated Trip Brown, a junior in business administration and Spanish, to become the second female SGA president in Auburn history.
“She’ll do a great job,” Brown said. “She ran a great campaign.”
Stressing her goals to improve the “Auburn experience,” Hayes plans to implement a number of initiatives while fulfilling her role as president.
First on her list is the creation of a University-wide scholarship program for achieved students currently attending Auburn.
Improving campus recycling plans and increasing energy efficiency will be a priority for Hayes in attempts to make Auburn more green-friendly.
She will work to include a Tiger Transit information service “kiosk” inside the new student center for student assistance and will aid in further developing a safe and efficient night transit system.
Hayes also plans to make sure the construction of a newer and larger student activity center remains a top concern in the University’s master plan.
Finally, Hayes will work to ensure more high-profile academic speakers come to Auburn throughout the year and for commencement speeches.
“This has been the most humbling experience,” Hayes said. “It made me realize what great friends and great supporters I have.”
