On behalf of the student body I’d like to welcome all of our transfer and freshmen students and say welcome back to all of our returning students.

This semester has already proven to be a semester of firsts.

Through the efforts of your SGA along with the faculty senate ad hoc calendar committee, we are now starting back later than ever and we now have an extended Thanksgiving break.

Also, this year’s student body, with the advent of lottery scholarships, could prove to be the largest student body ever.

It would only make sense that with all of these changes that you would begin to see a change in your SGA and the way you are represented.

We’ve been working hard all summer in refocusing your SGA. Our Web site (sga.utm.edu) has finally been updated with accurate information for the first time in nearly two years.

I’ve spent the past few months building strong relationships with the UT System administration, UTM administration, along with many student organizations.

I would like for all the students of UTM to know that this year’s SGA takes your needs, interests and concerns very seriously and that I do sincerely care about our campus and our students and want nothing more than to move us forward.

I plan to be a very visible student body president and plan to attend countless student events so please when you see me on campus do not hesitate to come up to me and discuss your concerns. I am here for you and I always will have time for my peers.

Our first meeting is at 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, in the Legislative Chambers and everyone is invited.

I wish everyone a happy and successful semester.