By RINDY METCALF

Staff Writer

The Student Government Association inducted new cabinet members Tuesday at the final senate meeting of the 2003-04 academic year.

Kimberly Ludwig, SGA president and a senior business management and entrepreneurship major, said she interviewed 34 students who filled out applications and chose 22 of them to join her executive cabinet.

"I was looking for people who are initiators, people who take an idea and put it into action," Ludwig said.

Ludwig said other qualities she was looking for were leaders who would step up to a challenge and people with a strong commitment to serving students.

"The cabinet is the backbone behind the SGA, they work behind the scenes," Ludwig said. "We want students who will be leaders and motivate our members to take charge, not sit back and watch."

The new cabinet is the largest ever inducted. Responsibilities of cabinet members include planning for activities within his or her appointed department as director or assistant director.

Cabinet members were elected to head academic affairs, campus activities, environmental action, student services, public relations, student affairs, student rights, community service, sports promotion, commissioner of elections, member-at-large, technology specialist and history.

Cekedrick Batton, a freshman health and physical education major, will be the new commissioner of elections for the coming year.

Batton said he was an advertisement representative with the cabinet this year and that each of his positions will be stepping stones to greater things.

"It's a great opportunity for me to show some of my leadership ability," Batton said.

Kent Mire, a sophomore biology major, was selected as the director of sports promotions.

Mire said he and Brian Lang, assistant director of sports promotions and a sophomore wildlife conservation major, have goals to get the Bulldawg Corps, a student-led organization of sports fans, up and running.

Mire said new regulations will be in place next year and they will call for more student support.

Ludwig said she is excited about the new members and hopes they are up to the challenge.