Eastern Illinois University - Student Body President

Name: Ed Hotwagner

Major: Mathematics with Teacher Certification; Minor in History

Time On Senate: 3 Semesters

Year: Senior

Hometown: Manhattan, IL

Greetings and Welcome!

My name is Ed Hotwagner and I am the Eastern Illinois University Student Body President. I am very thankful to everyone for electing me to this position. I love EIU and I put a great deal of time into making sure this University is everything that it can be. I spend countless hours inside and out of my office making sure that I know what is going on and how I can help make improvements on campus. It is very important to me to make sure that students are aware that my door is always open and I want to hear every voice on campus; and that I want the Student Body's voice heard on a local and state level.

I am from the small town of Manhattan, IL, which is about 140 miles north on I-57. I am from a small town, but my high school was almost 3,000 students; so going into high school was a warm up for coming to college. I came to EIU knowing about 10 people, and now I multiplied my constituency by about a thousand times that amount. I do my best to be available and approachable, and I want every person to feel comfortable enough to email, call, text, or stop by my office to talk about whatever you think is important. If it is important to you then it is important to me.

My job as Student Body President is about the most fun position anyone can ask for. I attend all EIU Events, (I'll say try because most of you are not aware of how many events EIU has to offer) appoint nearly 50 students to leadership positions on various committees, select Student Supreme Court Justices, make various speeches and appearances, and attend Senate and Executive meetings. I also am the planner/coordinator for the annual First Night celebration. First Night is the Sunday night before the first class of the academic year, in which I brought in several athletic teams, dance teams, leaders, performers, food, spirit gear, etc. where we ring in the new school year together. Other experience with Student Government include: Senator, Parliamentarian, and Student Affairs Committee Chair.

Aside from Student Government I hold/have held several positions in various campus groups. I am the Director of Panther Nation which is EIU's Athletic Spirit Section. I helped former Student Body President Michelle Murphy and current Executive Vice President Jarrod Scherle form Panther Nation two years ago; last year I served on the Executive Board and this year I lead Panther Nation as it grows to one of the largest student groups and helps lead our Panthers to victory. I am a proud brother in Sigma Phi Epsilon and served as the Academic Chair, Philanthropy Chair, Vice President of Finance, and currently sit as the Secretary. Also in the Greek Community I have devoted countless hours to the Interfraternity Council, having been on the cabinet as Ritual Chair, Faculty Senate Liason, and am currently the Greek Relations Chair. I have also been on the Interfraternity Council Executive Board as the Vice President of Recruitment and Retention, and served as IFC President for 2 years (only the second person to have been elected twice).

A final word: Thank you for this opportunity and I promise I won't let you down. Former Student Body President Michelle Murphy prided herself on something that I work everyday to continue, and I quote, "I'm going to do things that you like, and I'm going to do things that you don't like. But, I can promise you this, I'll never stop doing." Please stop by my office in the University Union and come talk to me about whatever you want because without you I don't have a job. I love EIU and I want all of you to love it as much as I do, so please stop by and let's talk about how we can make EIU better.

Ed Hotwagner

Student Body President