Spring Break
Zaritheny takes helm at USG
Alissa Letkowski
Issue date: 1/20/09 Section: News
USG will have a new president Tuesday when Meredeth Zaritheny replaces Ryan McHardy, who resigned suddenly to focus on schoolwork and a research and consulting business that he is starting.
Zaritheny, an 8th-semester political science and communications major, has been involved with USG since her sophomore year when she was elected to be an academic senator for CLAS, according to their Facebook campaign group. She served as a member of the USG Recess Committee, the Promotion and Recruitment Committee and the Academic Integrity Committee. She is also involved in sorority Kappa Alpha Theta.
Zaritheny, who served as vice president under McHardy, said she welcomes the new responsibilities that she will be given.
"I was surprised," she said of McHardy's decision to resign. "I was also excited because I get to take a different position within the organization."
She has been a resident of the area her entire life and feels that this gives her a strong grasp of the Mansfield community and also the UConn administration, which will be helpful in getting things accomplished in USG. "I'm just really excited to work with everyone and start new relations," she said.
"I think she's going to be great; I think she's going to be absolutely fantastic," said McHardy, an 8th-semester political science and economics major. "I think she's also got a great group of other leaders around her too who are really committed to working hard."
"I totally support her. I'm sure I'll be receiving calls from her with questions and things like that, but that's to be expected," he added.
Robert Puff, a 10th-semester political science major who ran against McHardy and Zaritheny in the elections, will be taking Zaritheny's place as vice president.
Puff said that Zaritheny has been transitioning well since hearing about the resignation.
"Meredith has worked alongside of [McHardy] … and she has been with him every step of the way," he said. She is trying to "surround herself with the best people possible to kind of move forward in the new direction she's going to take us. I feel very comfortable having her at the helm of the organization."
Zaritheny and Puff are in the process of designing a platform of their goals for USG for the remainder of the school year.
She is confident in her ability to handle the responsibilities that are inherent with being USG president.
"I'm just extremely excited and I think the USG and student body are in great hands right now," she said.
Zaritheny, an 8th-semester political science and communications major, has been involved with USG since her sophomore year when she was elected to be an academic senator for CLAS, according to their Facebook campaign group. She served as a member of the USG Recess Committee, the Promotion and Recruitment Committee and the Academic Integrity Committee. She is also involved in sorority Kappa Alpha Theta.
Zaritheny, who served as vice president under McHardy, said she welcomes the new responsibilities that she will be given.
"I was surprised," she said of McHardy's decision to resign. "I was also excited because I get to take a different position within the organization."
She has been a resident of the area her entire life and feels that this gives her a strong grasp of the Mansfield community and also the UConn administration, which will be helpful in getting things accomplished in USG. "I'm just really excited to work with everyone and start new relations," she said.
"I think she's going to be great; I think she's going to be absolutely fantastic," said McHardy, an 8th-semester political science and economics major. "I think she's also got a great group of other leaders around her too who are really committed to working hard."
"I totally support her. I'm sure I'll be receiving calls from her with questions and things like that, but that's to be expected," he added.
Robert Puff, a 10th-semester political science major who ran against McHardy and Zaritheny in the elections, will be taking Zaritheny's place as vice president.
Puff said that Zaritheny has been transitioning well since hearing about the resignation.
"Meredith has worked alongside of [McHardy] … and she has been with him every step of the way," he said. She is trying to "surround herself with the best people possible to kind of move forward in the new direction she's going to take us. I feel very comfortable having her at the helm of the organization."
Zaritheny and Puff are in the process of designing a platform of their goals for USG for the remainder of the school year.
She is confident in her ability to handle the responsibilities that are inherent with being USG president.
"I'm just extremely excited and I think the USG and student body are in great hands right now," she said.
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