Past SGA President returns to "The Hill"

 Covering a span of 12 years the Student Government Association Past President's Forum brought home the last nine SGA presidents, on Oct. 19.
 From Alene Riley Devereaux, SGA President 1999-2000, to Jarren Small, SGA President 2011-2012, Prairie View's student body presidents of nearly a decade discussed their terms and fielded questions about the next generation of student leadership.
Choosing the presidency for different reasons, nearly each president worked under the administration of the presidency before him or her.
"I served as sophomore president under Alene during her administration," said Ronnie Davis, current University Village director and past president during the 2005-2006 school year.
The forum moved through a moderated question and answer series guided by SGA President 2012-2013, Harrison Blair.
Beginning with a premise of why each president chose to serve, yet another universal theme followed.
"I wanted to be able to represent the students," said Johnie L. Jones III, SGA President 2008-2009, followed by Robert A. Powell II, SGA President 2009-2010 who said, "The reason why we have student representation is because if there are any issues we want changed they would be able to address it. Without student representation no one can fight on our behalf."
As the questions flowed the audience could see a visual timeline of presidential terms, with each president seated to the right of his/her predecessor. As the question was passed from president to president, the audience listened to how the legacy of one term affected the next.
"You are able to finish what the past president started and add your own. I was able to help usher in the Panther statue, something that Bobby started before he stepped down," said Small.
The audience was able to hear about the accomplishments as well the issues of each administration.
Devereaux said, "I served during the tragic passing of the four track students and one murder-suicide; it was a tough and terrible time for the university. A few months prior we went to Texas A&M for their bonfire when it collapsed, losing 11 students. We thought what we would do if that happened at Prairie View and few months later we were dealing with a similar tragedy."
Somber yet sincere, Devereaux said, "Students had to grieve, but eventually we had to reach a degree of normalcy because you still had to go to class and there were still events and parties. In a way it was an accomplishment because you are able to see how Prairie View could come together."
As Blair opened up the forum to the audience for questions, alumna Cynthia Dees, former editor-in-chief of the Pantherland Yearbook, thanked the panel for their visit and their dedication to the university.
Dees said, "I tried to capture what you all stood for within the yearbook. I think it should be a packed house because it meant so much to me to go back and look at what you stood on, so I appreciate you all. Your work and your legacy continue through all the students. It is truly humbling to put faces to names."
As the open audience forum continued each panelist received a copy of the yearbook.
The audience asked questions to better the current and future administration in their efforts. Andre Evans SGA president 2007-2008, left the students, specifically the student government association, with a challenge to change the face of university.
Evans said, "I worked for the future of Prairie View and how to define a Prairie View man and woman. I hope I have affected each of you for the better but remember the university is a name, but the students make up the university. Ask the students what they want. Your question is how do we get the students involved and how do we find out what the students really want because that is what SGA is, a voice for the students. You are all leaders, but be sure you are leading your students in the right path."