By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Logan Krejdl and Taylor Janicek are ready to represent their fellow Lopers.
The running mates were elected Thursday as the next student body president and vice president at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
“I’m really excited,” said Janicek, who will serve as vice president. “I can’t wait to get to work on our platform.”
Krejdl and Janicek received 872 of the 1,377 votes cast over two days by UNK students. They’ll succeed current Student Body President Austin Partridge and Vice President Ivy Prater following an April 3 inauguration.
As president, Krejdl will represent UNK as a student regent on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and serve as the official student body representative to the University of Nebraska administration and public. The president also has the power to approve or veto legislation passed by the Student Senate.
Krejdl, a business administration and sports management major from Aurora, called the victory over Micah Carlson and Matt Brunkhorst “unbelievable.”
“The biggest thing I’m excited for is giving back to Kearney,” he said.
The UNK junior is currently secretary of the treasury for the executive cabinet under Partridge and Prater. He’s served three years in student government, including one year on the Student Senate.
“I know I can do more with that,” Krejdl said. “Giving back to not just the UNK students, but all the students in the NU system, is just amazing.”
The Cope Scholar is also active in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Honors Program, Men’s Project and Order of Omega, and as a Chancellor’s Ambassador, FIRST Leader and resident assistant. He previously served as a Loper Leader, New Student Enrollment leader, vice president of scholarship for the Interfraternity Council, St. Jude Up ’til Dawn recruitment director and college of business and technology representative on the Student Advisory Board.
Krejdl was named UNK’s homecoming king in September.
“I chose UNK because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of many people. I knew that a smaller campus like UNK’s would give me ample opportunities to use my passion of leading others toward a common goal,” he wrote on his campaign Facebook page.
“I am extremely grateful to attend a university that allows students access to an affordable and meaningful education, and I look forward to what is possible in the future,” Krejdl added.
Janicek, a junior psychology major from Bridgeport, is currently serving his second term on the Student Senate. He’s also involved with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Interfraternity Council, Men’s Project and Order of Omega, and as a resident assistant and FIRST Leader.
“UNK has provided me so many great opportunities and leadership experiences, and I couldn’t picture myself at any other university,” he wrote on the campaign page.
Krejdl and Janicek identified the following issues to address as leaders of student government:
- Continue the library renovations, setting a timeline so work occurs this summer, with a focus on better utilizing the space and adding more study rooms and tables.
- Improve the dining committee for Louie’s Diner and The Market @ 27th to ensure students receive quality food.
- Support the ongoing Nebraskan Student Union renovations.
- Increase budget advocacy efforts, including forming UNK student groups to contact state senators and discuss the importance of investing in the university system.
- Advocate for campus beautification such as a sand volleyball court and hammocks, picnic shelter with power outlets and new basketball hoops in Cushing Coliseum.
- Continue their predecessors’ efforts regarding improved parking and establishing a true dead week strictly limited to review sessions.
- Establish policies that require professors to provide timely feedback and avoid scheduling tests and large project deadlines during career fairs.
In addition to the presidential election, 15 students were selected Thursday to serve on the UNK Student Senate.
This organization is the legislature for the student body, with students elected from each of the academic colleges. Student Senate has the power to pass legislation for the campus, approve new student organizations, appoint student representatives to the UNK Faculty Senate and other administrative committees and perform other duties concerning student issues.
Those elected to the Student Senate are:
College of Natural and Social Sciences
Laura Fisher of Omaha
Madison Parshall of Plattsmouth
Kristen Tomjack of Wahoo
Kaitlynn Zitek of Ulysses
College of Fine Arts and Humanities
Jasmine Beringer of David City
Jase Hueser of Papillion
College of Business and Technology
Audrey Arsenian of Valley
Leslie Braun of Henderson
Ryan Brungardt of Kearney
Andrew Burival of O’Neill
College of Education
Emily Eairleywine of Fremont
Paige Kristensen of Minden
Morgan Daubert of Omaha
University College (deciding/pre-professional)
Trey Janicek of Bridgeport
Olivia Slater of Omaha
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Writer: Tyler Ellyson, writing specialist, UNK News, 308.865.8529, ellysontd@unk.edu
