Saúl Rascón Salazar ’23 was elected the next student body president and Gabi Jeakle ’23 the next vice president on Thursday, March 24, 2022, by LMU undergraduate students. Also, Gipson Bachman ’23 was elected GSLMU president and Jordan Golden ’24 vice president by LMU graduate students.
Rascón Salazar, an international relations major from Mexico who was raised in Phoenix, Arizona, ran on a platform of advocacy for the student body, embracing creativity and promoting accessibility across campus. “Being elected as ASLMU president feels refreshing because it’s a clear, direct line of communication between thousands of Lions and our administration,” said Rascón Salazar. “It is also rewarding to see that Gabi and I received such overwhelming support from everyone without ever feeling like we had to sacrifice our personalities and individualities for the sake of a vote. LMU accepts us as we are.”
Rascón Salazar looks forward to using a multifaceted approach to his work as student body president, from building relationships with administrators he has not met yet to taking the collaborative spirit he and Jeakle have created over the past three years into their leadership roles. “Since the pandemic, I see students doing far more collectively than ASLMU,” said Rascón Salazar. “So, Gabi and I plan on shifting the perspective the organization has on the student body and, instead, try to connect ASLMU to what students are already doing and finding ways in which we can amplify resources for those already mobile communities.”
Jeakle is an English and history double major from Seattle, Washington. As active members of ASLMU serving in the Senate and on the leadership team, the pair plans to continue using their positions to keep the LMU community relevant to the times, student needs, interests, and wants. Both Rascón Salazar and Jeakle have been involved in various spaces on and off the bluff, including service organizations, Greek life, Campus Ministry, the Pam Rector Center for Service and Action, LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, and recording arts.
Rascón Salazar and Jeakle beat out the ticket of Chris Wilson and Ava Raymond. ASLMU – the Associated Students of LMU – is the voice of students in the governance of the university and “actively promotes a vibrant student life,” according to its mission statement.
Bachman, who is completing an MBA and computer science dual master’s degree and currently serves as the GSLMU vice president, said he intends to build a bigger community for and around graduate students at LMU, one that brings together the unique voices of each school through social and networking events that give a platform for what matters most to the graduate student body. “I’m honored and excited to serve you all as GSLMU president next year,” said Bachman. “As a grad student, I know many of us had lived multiple lives before starting this new journey. I certainly have, and that’s what makes being here, right now, feel so good.”
Bachman looks forward to getting to know all his fellow graduate students and believes higher education is a space for learning and serves as a home where lifelong friendships and memories are created. “I want to build a bigger community for and around grad students at LMU,” said Bachman. “One that brings together the unique voices of each school creates opportunities to build lasting friendships and forever memories, and celebrates the dynamic and diverse student population we are.”
Jordan Golden, a law school student, was elected GSLMU vice president. “I look forward to making this already great institution even better and ensuring all students feel like their voices are heard.” Golden describes his approach to his leadership role as focusing on service. “As GSLMU vice president, I look forward to taking the skills I have learned from past experiences and applying them to be the best voice for all graduate students,” said Golden. “I believe every student has a voice and right to be heard. Together, we can make the difference we want to see in the university.”
GSLMU – the Graduate Students of LMU – is the voice for graduate students in the governance of the university and “advocate and engage students, foster a rich academic, professional, and social network, and promote a Jesuit and Marymount heritage of being men and women for others,” according to their mission statement.